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French's  International  Copyrighted  (in  England,  her  Colonies,  and  the 
United  States)  Edition  of  the  Works  of  the  Best  Authors. 

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C.   HADDON   CHAMBERS  ^ 

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VOL.  I. 
1  Ion 
S  Fiulo 
i  The  Lady  oi  Ljroiu 

4  Richelieu 

i  The  Wife 

t  The  Honeymoon 

7  The  School  for  Svandal 

•  Money 

VOL.  II. 
t  The  Stranger 

10  Grandfather  WfaiUhcad 

11  Richard  III 

18  Love'*  Sacrifice 

13  The  Gamester 

14  A  Cure  for  the  Heartach. 
16  The  Hunchback 

li  Don  Ca'sar  de  Uoian 

VOL.  IIL 
n  The  Poor  Gentleman 

18  Hamlet 

19  Ch.^rles  II 

SO  Venice  freierTcd 

81  Fiiarro 

82  Tlic  Love  Cha>« 

83  Othello 

84  Lend  me  Five  Shilling* 

VOL.  IV. 

85  Vlrglnius 

86  King  of  the  Common* 

87  Loudon  Assurance 

88  The  Rent  Day 

SD  Two(ientlenieii  ofVerona 
BO  The  Jealou*  Wife 
31  The  Rival* 

83  Perfection 

VOL.  V.      [Debts 
38  A  New  Way  to  Pay  Old 

84  Look  Before  You  Leap 
Si  King  John 

16  Nervous  Man 

37  Damon  and  Pythia* 

38  Clandestine  Marriage 

39  William  Tell 

40  Day  after  the  Wedding 

VOL.  VI. 

41  Speed  the  Plough 

42  Romeo  and  Juliet 

43  Feudal  Times 

44  Charles  the  Twelfth 
46  The  Bride 

46  The  Follies  of  a  Night 

47  Iron  Clie»t         [Fair  Lady 

48  Faint  Hear     Never  Won 

VOL.  VII. 

49  Road  to  Ruin 

60  Macbeth 

61  Temper 

62  Evadne 
6.3  Bertram 

64  The  Duenna 

6&  Much  Ado  About  Nothing 

66  The  Critic 

VOL.  VIII. 

17  The  Apostate 

68  Twelfth  N  ight 

69  Brutus 

«0  himpton  A  Co 

•  1  Merchai.t  of  Venice 

62  Old  Heads*  Young  Hearts 

•3  Mountaineer*  [riage 

64  Three  Week*  nfler  Mar- 

VOL.  IX. 
•S  Lot* 

«  As  You  Like  It 
47  The  Elder  Brothw 
•8  Werner 
•9  Gislppu* 
TO  Town  and  Countrr 
71  King  Lear 
79  Blue  Devil* 

VOL.  X. 

73  Henry  VIII 

74  Married  and  Sln|rU 

75  Henry  IV 
7«  Paul  Pry 

77  Guy  Mannerini; 

78  SweethearU  and  W!v«» 

79  Serious  Family 

80  She  Stoop*  to  Conquer 


VOL.  XI. 

81  Julius  Cssar 

82  Vicar  of  Wakefield 

83  Leap  Year 

84  The  Catspaw 

65  The  Passing  Cloud 

86  Drunkard 

87  Rob  Roy 

88  George  Barnwell 

VOL.  Xll. 

89  Ingomar 

»0  Slieiches  In  Indlft 

91  Two  Friend* 

9'  Jane  Shore 

93  Corsican  Brothers 

S4  Mind  your  own  Business 

y6  Writing  on  the  Wall 

96  Heir  at  Law 

VOL.  XIIL 

97  Soldier'*  Daughter 
9>  Douglas 

99  M:irco  Spada 
lUO  Nature's  Nobleman 

101  Sardanapalus 

102  Civilization 

103  The  Robbers 

104  Katharine  and  Petruchio 

VOL.  XIV. 

105  Game  of  Love 

106  Midsun._er  Night'* 

107  Ernestine  [Dream 

108  Rag  Picker  of  Paris 

109  Flying  Dutchman 
lid  Hypoc-ite 

111  Ther..e 

112  La  Tour  de  Nesle 

VOL.  XV. 

113  Ireland  As  It  It 

114  Sea  of  Ice 

115  Seven  Clerk* 

116  Gameot  Life 

117  Forty  Thieve* 

118  Bryan  Boroihme 

119  Romance  an*RealIty 

120  Ugolino  ■• 

\~.L.  XXl. 

121  The  Tempest 

122  The  Pilot 

123  Carpenter  of  Rouen 
1  4  King's  Rival 

125  Little  Treasure 

126  Dombey  and  Son 

12"  Parents  and  Guardians 
118  Jewess 

VOL.  XVIL 
129  Camille 
l.fO  Married  Life 

131  Wen  lock  of  Wenlocit 

132  Rose  of  Etlrickvale 

133  David  Copptrfield 

134  Aline,   or    the    Rose    of 

1 35  Pauline  [Killarney 

136  Jane  Eyre 

VOL.  XVIII. 

137  Night  and  Morning 

138  ^thiop 

139  Three  Guardsmen 

140  Tom  Cringle 

141  Henriette.  the  Forsaken 

142  Eusta<he  Bandin 

143  Ernest  Maltriiveri 

144  Bold  Dragoons 

VOL.  XIX. 

145  Dred,  or  the  Dismal 

[Swamp 

146  Last  Days  of  Pompeii 

147  Esmeralda 

148  I'eter  Wilkin* 

149  Ben  the  Bo>tswaIn 

150  Jonathan  Bradford 

151  Retribution 

152  Miuerali 

VOL.  XX. 

153  French  Spy 

154  Wept  of  Wi&h-ton  Wish 

155  Evil  Geniu* 

156  Ben  Bolt 

157  Sailor  of  France 

158  Red  Mask 

169  Life  of  an  Actres* 
IbO  Wedding  Day 


VOL.  XXI. 

161  All's  Fair  in  Lore 

162  Hufer 

163  Self 

164  Cinderella 

165  Phantom 

166  Franklin  [Moscow 

167  The  Gunmaker  of 

168  The  Love  o.  »  f  riuca 

VOL.  XXII. 

169  Son  of  the  Night 

170  Rory  O'More 

171  Golden  Eagle 
M'iRienri 

173  Broken  Sword 

174  Rip  Van  Winkle 

175  Isabelle 

176  Heart  of  Mid  Lothian 

VOL.  XXIII. 

177  Actress  of  Padua 
H8  Moating  Beacon 

179  Bride  oiLamniermoor 
18ii  Cataract  of  the  Gauge* 

181  Robber  of  the  Rhine 

182  School  ot  Reform 

183  Wandering  boy* 
1S4  Mazeppa 

VOL.  XXIV. 

185  Young  New  Vork 

186  The  Victi:iis 

187  Romance  after  Marriage 

188  Biigand 

189  Poor  of  New  York 
19u  Ambrose  Gwinett 

191  Raymond  and  Agne* 

192  Gaiiibler's  Fate 

VOi..  XXV. 

193  Father  and  Son 

194  M.issaniello 

195  Sixteen  String  Jack 

196  Youth  lul  Queen 

197  Skeleton  Witness 

198  Innkeeper  of  AbbevUle 

199  Miller  and  his  Men 
2(^0  Aladdin 

VOL.  XXVL 

201  Adrienne  the  ActreM 

202  Undine 

203  Jesse  Brown 

204  Asmodeus 
206  Mormons 

206  Blanche  of  Brandywine 

207  Viola 

208  Deseret  Deserted 

VOL.  XXVII. 

209  Americans  in  Paris 
21(1  Victorine 

211  Wizard  of  the  Wave 

212  Castle  Spectre 

213  Horse-shoe  Robinson 
21.  Armand,  Mrs.  Mowatt 
21     Fashion,  Mrs.  Mowatt 

216  Glance  at  New  York 

VOL.  XXVIU. 

217  Inconsti^nt 

218  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin 

219  Guide  to  the  Stage 

220  Veteran 

221  Miller  of  New  Jersey 

222  Dark  Hour  liefore  Dawn 

223  Midsum'r  Night's  Dream 

[Laura  Keeiie's  Edition 

224  Art  and  Artifice 

VOL.  XXIX. 

225  Poor  Young  Man 

226  Ossawattomie  Brown 

227  Pope  of  Rome 

228  Oliver  Twist 

229  Pauvrette 

230  Man  in  the  Iron  Mask 

231  Knight  of  Arva 

232  Moll  Pitcher 

VOL.  XXX. 

233  Black  Eyed  Susan 
v:-;4  Satan  in  Paris 
235  Rosiiia  Meadows 
'2M  West  End,  or  Irish  H 

237  Six  Degrees  of  Crime 

238  The  Lady  and  the  Devil 

239  A  veneer,  or  Moor  of  Sici- 

240  Masks  and  Faces  [ly 


[ess 


VOL.  XXXI. 

241  Merry  Wive   of  Wind*. 

242  Mary"'s  Birtl. 

243  Shandy  Mag 

244  Wild  OaU 

245  Michael  Erie 

246  Idiot  Witues* 

247  Willow  Cops 

248  People's  Law 
VOL.  XX 

249  The  boy  Mar 

250  Lucretia  Borg 

251  Surgeon  of  Pari* 

252  Patrician's  Daughtc* 

253  Shoemaker  of  Toul  aat 

254  Momentous  Question 

255  Love  and  Loyalty 

256  Robber's  Wife 
VOL.  XXXIII. 

267  Dumb  Girl  of  Genoa 
2  8  Wreck  Ashore 
259  Clari 

Rural  Felicity 

261  Wallace 

262  Madelaine 

263  The  Fireman 

264  Grist  to  the  Mill 

VOL.  XXXIV. 

265  Two  Loves  and  a  Life 

266  Annie  Blake 

267  Steward 

268  Captain  Kyd 

269  Nick  of  the  Woods 

270  Marble  Heart 

271  Second  Love 

272  Dream  at  S  a 

VuL.  XXXV. 

273  Breach  of  Promise 

274  Review 

275  Lady  of  the  Lake 

276  Still  Water  Runs  De 

277  The  Scholar 

278  Helping  Hands 

279  Faust  and  Margoerit 

280  Last  Man 

VOL.  xxxvr. 

281  Belle's  Strat 
2S2  Old  and  You 

283  Raffaella 

284  Ruth  Oa' 

285  British 

2o6  A  Life  : 

287  Giral.t  i 

28    Time  T  i  '^ 

289  Ella  F  * 

290  Warloc 

291  Zelina 

292  Beatrice 
2'.'3  Neighbor  .To 

294  Wonder  J 

295  Robert  T 

296  Green  I 

VOL. 

297  Flowers  . 

298  A  Bachel 

299  The  Midi 

300  Husband 

301  Love's  L 

302  Naia.i  Q 

303  Caprice 

304  Cradle  oi  tv 

VOL.  A... ax. 

305  The  Lost  Ship 
.3(16  Country  Squire 
307  Fraud  and  its  Victi 
3(i8  Putnam 
309  King  and  Deserter 


310  La  F 

311  A  H; 

312  Gwini 

V 

313  The  I.,. 


nma 
trupgle 
e  Vaugha 

L.  XL. 

e  Knot     [ 


314  LavatT     or   Not 


315  The  t 

316  Coriol 

317  The  V 

318  Evelet 

319  Ivan' 
1320  Jona 


lie  Heart 


ter's  Tale 
Wilson 


(French's  Standard  Drama  Continued  on  ^d  page  of  Cover.) 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  28-30  West  38th  Street.  New  York  C 

Ncir  anl  Explicit  Descriptive  Catalogrue  Mailed  Free  'Hi : 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT 


a  Cometip  2Drama  in  four  3tct^ 


BY 


C.  HADDON   CHAMBERS 

AUTHOR   OF   "THE   IDLER,"    "THE   TYRANNY    OF 
TEARS,"     ETC.,     ETC. 


Copyright,  1902,  by  T.  H.  French 


New  York 

SAMUEL  FRENCH 

publisher 

28-30  WEST  38TH  STREET 


London 

SAMUEL  FRENCH,  Ltd 

26  Southampton  Street. 

STRAND 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


Produced  at  the  Haymarket  Theatre,  London,  20th  June, 
1888,  with  the  following  cast: 


Mr.  Seabrook,  Elderly  Gentleman Mr.  H.  Kemble 

Harry  Seabrook,  His  Son,  in  love  with  Stella 

Mr,  Frank  Gilmore 

Gardiner,  From  Queensland,  Harry's  friend,  in  love 

with  Mabel Mr.  F.  H.  Macklin 

Wilding  (Captain  Swift) Mr.  H.  Beerbohm  Tree 

Marshall,  Seabrook's  butler,  and  foster-brother  of 

Wilding Mr.  R.  Pateman 

Bates,  Seabrook's  Footman Mr,  Robert  Harwood 

Ryan,   Queensland  Detective   in  search  of  Wilding 
Mrs,  Seabrook,  Wife  of  Mr.  Seabrook,  also  mother  of 

Wilding Lady  Monckton 

Mabel  Seabrook,  Her  Daughter Miss  Agnes  Millar 

Stella  Darbisiiee,,  Her  Nipce. Mrs.  Tree 

Lady  Staunton,  Her  Sister:.:,'. :-/, ,%  .Miss  Rose  Leclercq 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


ACT  I. 


Scene: — Mrs.  Seabkook's  drawing-room, London.    Charm- 
ingly furnished  and  arranged.    Evening,  after  dinner. 

(Enter  Marshall  from  r.,  Bates  from  l.) 

Mar.  (To  Bates)  Serve  the  coffee  in  here.  The 
ladies  will  be  here  in  a  minute. 

(Ladies  laugh  off  R.) 

(Exit  Bates  l.) 

Mr.  Wilding  seems  to  be  amusing  them.  (Marshall 
moves  about  stage  piitting  things  in  order)  A  real  in- 
teresting gentleman  that — got  something  to  talk  about — 
knows  how  to  talk.  Been  everywhere,  seen  everything, 
all-round  accomplished.  I  seem  to  have  seen  him  some- 
where before.  From  Australia — hal  I  wonder  if  he  ever 
met  my  precious  foster-brother  out  there.  He  went  out 
to  those  parts.  I'd  like  to  ask  hir..  (As  Ladies  enter, 
is  up  c.) 

{Enter  Mabel  Seabrook  and  Stella  Darbtsher  from  r. 
Stella  first  crosses  l.,  Mabel  to  l.  c.) 

Mabel.     Mr.  Wilding  is  very  amusing. 

Stella.     I  think  he  is  interesting.  ,  I  \  u 

{Enter  Mrs.  Seabrook  r.) 

Mrs.  S.     Send  coffee,  Marshall.     {Sits  on  settee  r.) 
Mar.     Yes,  ma'am. 

{Exit  Marshall  l.) 

Mabel.     Now,  mamma,  tell  me  all  about  him.     {To  c.) 

3 


39G656 


4  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Mrs.    S.     (Who    appears    slightly  disturbed)     About 
whom,  clear? 

Mabel.     Mr.  Wilding,  of  course!  ^JJ^^ 

(Stella  up  to  piano.) 


Mrs.  S.  I  can  tell  you  nothing — I  know  nothing  of 
him. 

(Stella  is  running  her  hand  over  the  keys  of  the  piano.) 

Mabel.     You  know  nothing  of  him? 

Mrs.  S.  No.  Your  papa  met  him  somewhere  and 
asked  him  to  dinner.  I  heard  nothing  of  it  till  this 
afternoon. 

Mabel.  We  were  to  have  dined  alone  to-day  for  a 
change. 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside — reflectively)  It  is  strange — very 
strange! 

Mabel.     Do  you  like  him?     (c.) 

Mrs.  S.     (Aside)     I  wish  Betty  could  see  him. 

Mabel.     Mother,  do  you  like  him? 

Mrs.  S.     I  don't  know,  Mabel. 

Mabel.  Stella,  I  needn't  ask  you.  (Moves  up  a  lit- 
tle ) 

(Stella  at  piano  l.) 

Stella.     Why  not? 

Mabel.     Because  you  hung  upon  his  words. 

Stella.     Not  so  -bad   as  that  quite,   but   I   confess   I    r 
found  him  interesting.     Did  you? 

Mabel.     A  little.     Mysteries  are  always  interesting. 

Stella.     Mysteries?  ^-^^ 

Mabel.     Yes.    Who  is  he? 

Stella.     A  Mr.  Wilding. 

Mabel.  One  Wilding — that's  very  enlightening.  We 
knew  that  already — but  no  more. 

Stella.     A  travelled  and  accomplished  gentleman. 

Mabel.  One  Wilding — a  fascinating  person.  Any 
more? 

Stella.  Yes.  (Rises  and  comes  down  to  arm  chair 
L.)     Your  father's  guest.     (Sits  chair  l.) 

Mabel.  Now  you  are  angry!  A  sign  that  he  has  in- 
terested you  very  much.  Please  forgive  me — (Sits  foot- 
stool L.) — but  I'm  afraid  I  don't  like  him. 

Stella.     Why  not,  praj  ? 

Macel.    Because  I  hate  having  one  guest  to  dinner — 


.r\> 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  5 

nobody  else  gets  listened  to — and  because  I  intended  to  Hf^ 
ask  papa  to  take  us  somewhere  this  evening — and  be-  .jjtM' 
cause  he  seemed  to  depress  mother. 

Mrs.  S.  You  are  mistaken,  dear.  I  agree  with  Stella 
that  Mr.  Wilding  is  very  interesting.  I — think  I  shall 
like  him  very  much — only 

Stella.  Only  what,  Auntie?  {Rises  and  crosses  to 
Mrs.  Seabrook  r.) 

Mrs.  S.     There  is  something  strange  about  him. 

Mabel.     There  is!     (Rises.) 

Mrs.  S.  Perhaps  it  is  his  voice.  He  conveys  the  odd 
impression  of  one  speaking  from  a  distance. 

Stella.  He  talks  of  Australia,  which  is  a  long  way 
off. 

Mrs.  S,     (Aside)     A  distance  of  time. 

Mabel.  (Crosses  up  c.  to  r.)  Do  not  trust  him,  gen- 
tle maiden. 

Stella.     (Crosses  l.  to  fireplace)     You  are  absurd!         ..j^^ 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside)  It  is  very  strange!  If  Betty  could 
see  him  she  would  remember.  Mabel,  do  you  know  what 
your  Aunt  Betty  is  doing  to-night? 

Mabel.  I  think  she's  at  home — nursing  Sir  John's 
gout.     (Up  R.) 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside)  I'll  send  for  her.  (Rises,  goes  r. 
and  sits  at  writing-tahle) 

Mabel.     Mother,  are  we  going  to  Fernshawe? 

Mrs.  S.     (Without  looking  up)     Yes — on  Monday. 

Mabel.  (To  Stella)  Do  you  know  how  long  we're 
to  stay?     (Crosses  to  l.  c.) 

Stella,  (l.  of  piano)  I  heard  Uncle  insisting  on  a 
week  at  least.  He  says  we  want  dosing  with  fresh  air 
and  exercise. 

(They  talk — Stella  a'bove  piano,  Mabel  helow  her.) 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside — ivriting)  "  My  dear  Betty — do 
please  come  round  for  a  few  minutes  if  Sir  John  can 
spare  you.  I  want  you  to  see  some  one  who  troubles 
me." 

(Enter  Mr.   Seabrook  r.,  tvho  is  short  sighted) 

Mabel.    Now,  papa,  we  have  got  you.    (Gets  on  his  r.) 

(Stella  on  his  l.) 

Mr.  S.  Only  for  a  moment.  I  am  going  to  smoke  with 
Harry  and  Mr.  Wilding. 


e  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

(Exit  Mrs.   Seabrook  with  letter  l.) 
{They  dring  Mb.  Seabrook  down  between  them.) 

Mabel.     Now  who  is  he? 

Mr.  S.  {Turning  towards  Stella)  Now,  my  dear 
Mabel 

Mabel.     (Turning  his  face  with  her  hands)     This  way  ,  f, 
for  Mabel.    Who  and  what  is  Mr.  Wilding?  -     ' 

(Mabel  pushes  Mr.  Seabrook  on  the  couch  next  Stella 
and  sits  on  his  other  side.  All  sit  on  settee  r.,  Mabel 
R.,  Seabrook  c,  Stella  l.) 

Mr.  S.     Mr.  Wilding  is  a  gentleman  of — er — I  believe  |\ 
excellent  family,  of  which  he  is  the  sole  survivor.  ^ 

Mabel.     What  is  he? 

Mr.  S.  Mr.  Wilding  is,  I  believe,  a  man  of  independent 
means  who  has  spent  the  greater  part  of  his  days  in 
travel. 

Mabel.     You  helieve  a  great  deal  about  him,  but  what:\ 
do  you  know?  ,  ,  ^ 

Mr.  S.     Mabel!    Remember  that Q)# 

Mabel.     Where  did  you  meet  him? 

Mr,  S.  I  had  the  honour  of  making  Mr.  Wilding's  ac- 
quaintance  

Mabel.     Well? 

Mr.  S.     No,  I  had — er — er Dear,  dear!   where  had 

I My  memory  grows  worse  and  worse! 

Mabel.  Do  you  really  mean,  papa,  that  you  can't  re- 
member where  you  met  Mr.  Wilding? 

Mr.  S.    Just  for  the  moment.  V; 

Mabel.     How  long  have  you— er — had  the  honour?      '  ^" 

Mr.  S.  About  three  weeks,  I  think.  (Reflectively) 
Now,  where  was  it?  (Going)  I  must  ask  him  to  re- 
mind me.     (Turning  c.)     Oh,  of  course!, 

Mabel    ) 

&         )     Yes?  / 

Stella.  )  \  ^/^ 

Mr.  S.    You  remember  my  famous  cab  accident 
month? 

Mabel  )  \V 

&        )     Yes!     (Still  sitting.)  \ 

Stella.  ) 

Mr.  S.  Well,  it  was  Mr.  Wilding  who  saved  me  at  the 
risk  of  his  own  life.  It  was  a  terrible  moment!  Some 
street  band  made  the  horses  bolt.  The  driver  was  thrown 
from  the  box,  and  off  we  went — the  horse  and  I — at  a 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  Y 

furious  pace  down  Oxford  Street — bound  for  another 
world.  And  I  verily  believe  we'd  have  got  there  but 
for  an  impetuous  young  man  who  sprang  from  the  pave- 
ment right  to  the  horse's  head.  Still  the  horse  bolted, 
and  still  the  young  man  kept  a  tight  hold,  being  dragged 
along  for  about  thirty  yards.  I  thought  he'd  be  killed, 
but  when  I  had  the  courage  to  open  my  eyes,  there  he 
stood  at  the  cab  door,  smiling  and  ready  to  help  me  out. 
Stella.     Splendid!      (Goes  a  little  l.)  y    ' 

Mabel.     That  makes  me  warm  towards  him.     (Up  to       1^^ 
Mr.  Seabrook)  ,  v\v^-^ 

Stella.     I  should  think  so!  \i /P  '  '^ 

Mr.  S.    Yes,  he  saved  my  life.     (Going  up  fo  r.)         , 
Mabel.    And  then?     (A  little  up  r.  c.)  ': 

Mr.  S.     Then Let  me  see,  we  went  somewhere  for 

refreshments.     (Crosses  r.  at  back) 

Mabel.  And  after  that?  (Following  Mr.  Seabrook 
up) 

(Enter  Mrs.  Seabrook  r.) 

Mr.  S.  Lunched  with  me  at  the  club  next  day.  A 
charming  fellow,  as  you  see!  By  the  way,  I've  invited 
him  down  to  Fernshawe  next  week. 

(Exit  quickly.) 

.  ,  ■    jv 

Mabel.  ,  Papa!     There!!     (At  door  n.)  *  •' 

Mrs.  S.  Asked  him  to  Fernshawe!  (Coming  down 
c.)     Have  you  heard  who  he  is? 

Stella.  It  was  he  who  saved  Uncle's  life  in  that 
dreadful  cab  accident.     (By  piano  l.  c.) 

Mrs.    S.     That   should  be   sufficient   recommendation.  \j 

(Crosses  to  l.)  ^\^ 

Mabel.  Papa  is  the  most  confiding,  unsuspicious  per- 
son in  London.     (Sits  on  ottoman  r.) 

Stella.     Mr.  Wilding  saved  his  life,     (c.) 

Mabel.     I  like  him  for  that — but  not  for  himself. 

Stella.     You  are  inveterate. 

(Mrs.  Seabrook  sits  in  chair  l. — Stella  sits  at  piano  l.) 


^ 


Mabel.    Papa's  indiscretions  would  be  amusing  if  they 
weren't  sometimes  alarming.     Just  before  you  came  to 
live  with  us — (To  Stella) — he  brought  a  man  to  lunch 
one  day  simply  because,  having  met  him  in  the  under-       '^ 
ground  railway  and  got  into  conversation  with  him,  he       > 
discovered  the  interesting  circumstance  that  their  polit'   ^ 


8 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


ical  views  were  tlie  same.     The  gentleman's  name  was 
Jobbs. 
Mrs.  S.     I'm  sure,  dear,  Mr.  Jobbs  was  a  most  harm-  \ 
^  less- and  respectable  person.  -     'a  ^j  \^ 

-  w*»4<?^'     >^AKEL.     So  is  our  cook,  but  we  don't  ask  her  to  lunch J^K  ^^ 
^I      /Vs  for  your  Mr.  Wilding '      ' 

^  ~    {Enter  Hakry  Seabrook  r.,  comes  down  c.) 

(Mabel  rises.) 

Ah!  now  we  shall  have  another  opinion.  Harry,  an- 
swer one  plain  question,  please— do  you  like  Mr.  Wild- 
ing? 

Harry.     No.     (c.) 

Mabel.     (To    Stella,    standing    r.    c.    above    settee) 
There's  a  man's  opinion  for  you. 
^.  V.  Stella.     (Smiling)     A  boy's.     (Aside) 

Y^  Mrs.  S.     Why  not,  dear?     (In  chair  l.) 

Harry.     (Moves  towards  his  mother  l.  c. — Mabel  hack 

iof  settee)     Because  I  don't  know  him,  never  heard  of 

bim,  and  don't  understand  him.    There's  something  queer 

about  him.    He's  not  like  the  men  one  is  accustomed  to 

meet. 

Stella.     Is  originality  so  great  a  sin  then?     (Crosses      ' 
to  R.  of  Mabel  and  sits  on  settee  r.)  \ 

Harry.     (Irritated)     Oh!  then  we  must  be  careful  of     j 
attacking  him  since  he's  already  found  so  able  a  cham- 
pion. 


(Mabel  rises  and  passes  to  hack  of  Stella.) 


Stella. 

Harry. 
mon 

Mrs.  S. 

Harry. 
fiver 

Mrs.  S. 


(Confused)     I'm  not  his  champion. 

(c.)     You  find  him  original.    Why,  any  com- 

Hush,  dear!     He  saved  your  father's  life. 
Yes,    I've   heard    that   story.     But   surely   a 

Harry!  -^ 


(Stella  r.  on  settee  with  Mabel  at  hack.) 


Harry.     Well,  of  course  I   don't  mean  that  the  gov- 
ernor's not  worth  more  than  that,  but  bringing  into  the      \ 
house  a  complete  stranger  about  whom  you  know  noth-   >  .. 
ing,  and  who  may  reasonably  enough  be  nothing  but  an  ^.^ 
adventurer,  is  a  serious  thing.  ^ 

Mabel.     (Aside     to     Stkll^)     Especially     when     the 
house  contains  an  heiress. 


pl*^ 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  9 

Harry.     Honestly  I  don't  like  Mr.  Wilding. 

Mabel.  {Aside)  Poor  Harry  is  jealous  already. 
(Goes  uv  stage  r.) 

Harry.  Fortunately  my  friend  George  Gardiner  will 
arrive  from  Australia  in  a  day  or  two.     He  may  know  ^ 

something  about  this  Wilding.  d^ 

Stella.     Australia  is   a  large   place.  J^ 

Harry.     Yes,  but  Wilding  is  great  on  Queensland  ex-A^ 
perience,  and,  as  a  Queensland  squatter,  Gardiner  is  not 
at  all  unlikely  to  have  met  him.    However,  as  I  suppose 
we  shan't  see  much  more  of  Mr.  Wilding 

Mabel.  Won't  we,  indeed!  Don't  flatter  yourself  on 
that  score. 

Harry.     What  do  you  mean? 

Mrs.  S.  Your  papa  has  asked  Mr.  Wilding  down  to 
Fernshawe. 

Harry.  What!  Asked  an  unknown,  mysterious,  sus- 
picious  

Wild.  (Spoken  partly  off)  Yes!  I  assure  you  I'd 
have  given  my  right  hand  for  a  brandy  and  soda  then. 

Stella  ) 

&         )     Hush! 

Mabel.  ) 

(Voices  outside  r.     Harry  goes  to  piano  l.     Enter  Wild- 
ing  and  Mr.  Seabrook.) 

Mr.  S.  Ha,  ha!  No  doubt!  I  should  like  you  to  hear 
that  story,  my  dear.     (To  Mrs.  Seabrook) 

Wild.  No,  no — I  shall  end  by  boring  Mrs.  Seabrook 
with  my  stories. 

(Enter  Bates  with  coffee  l. — Marshall  with  letter  on 
salver. ) 

Mrs.  S.  On  the  contrary,  I  should  be  delighted  to  hear 
it.     (Still  seated) 

(Marshall  hands  Mrs.   Seabrook  letter.) 

(Mabel  assists  Mr.  Seabrook  to  chair  r.  up  stage.) 

Wild.  Mr.  Seabrook  asked  me  just  now  if  I  had  ever 
suffered  from  thirst.  ^ 

Mabel.     (Aside   to   Mr.    Seabrook)      Fancy   asking  a    ||r 
man  that!  "^ 

■  Mr.  S.     Hush!      (Sits.) 

Wild,     (c.)     The  question   reminded   me   of  what  I- 


10  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

suffered  once  in  North   Queensland — the   never,  never 
land,  as  they  call  it. 

(Bates  hands  Wilding  coffee  and  then  exits  l.) 

Wild.  We  were  tramping,  a  gold  miner  and  myself, 
through  the  bush  from  some  gold  diggings  to  the  nearest 
township.  On  the  second  day  of  our  march  we  found 
that  we  had  missed  the  track.    We  were  lost! 

Stella.  (Who  throughout  shows  great  interest) 
Lost!      (On  settee  k.) 


Wild.     Lost,    Miss    Darbisher,    in    a    wilderness    of  \>^'<i' . 

Tched  bush.      (Up  c.)  _  ^^^-^    m 

Stella.     How  dreadful!  j^    JJT 


Harry.     My  cousin  is  readily  moved  by  romance..^   '     \^ 
Mrs.  S.    You  mean  by  suffering,  Harry.  GoV^i/v^  '• 

Wild.     The  terrible  part  of  it  was  that  we  had  no 
water.     The  rivers  and  creeks  were  all  dried  up — the 
heat  was  fearful — the  ground  was  hard  and  dusty.    Very      ^^ 
soon  our  faces  were  scorched,  our  tongues  were  parched  y^y 
and  swollen,  our  lips  were  cracked — we  could  scarcely    ' 
drag  one  foot  after  the  other — as  we  wandered  about  in 
different  directions  looking  for  the  lost  track.    I  remem- 
ber well  that  I  had  given  up  all  hope  when  I  lay  down        ,  ^ 
under  a  tree  to  die.    Then  I  remember  the  music  of  the     , 
horses'  hoofs  and  the  voices  of  the  passing  horsemen  who    ^ 
saved  me. 

Mrs.  S.     And  your  comrade? 

Wild.     Poor  fellow!     We  found  him  close  at  hand — he     ^ 
was  dead. 

(Harry  noticing  Marshall  who  has  been  secretly  lis- 

I  tening  with  intense  interest,  rises)  ^ 

VJ    Harry.     Marshall!  ■' 

^    Wild.    What? 

Mar.     I  beg  your  pardon,  sir (Moving  towards  l.) 

Wild.     I  wasn't  aware  I  mentioned  any  name. 

Harry.     You  didn't.     I  was  speaking  to  the  servant,    v^ 
(Comes  down  l.  c.  a  little — aside)     That  seems  queer!      CV5 

Mabel.  (Advances  a  little  between  Wilding  and 
Harry)  What  a  funny  coincidence.  The  man's  name 
then  was 

Harry.  Marshall,  it  seems.  (Crosses  r.  up  stage  with 
Mabel)  -.  U^ 

Mar.     (At  door  l.,  listening)     Marshall!  > » 

Wild.  The  man's  name,  if  I  remember  rightly,— 
^Moves  across  l.  c,  a  little  down) 


^ 


^V^^*^'^      VX^VN^ 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  H 


Mr,  S.  I  think  you  mentioned  the  name  Marshall  to 
me,  Wilding. 

Wild.     Then   it  must   have   been  Marshall,   or   some- 
thing of  the  sort.     Hov/ever,   it  doesn't  matter  as  the 
.man  is  dead.  ^      ,  ^. 

\j     Mar.     (At   door — aside)     My   precious   foster-brother,  |  fiK^ 
,  perhaps.    Yet  he  wasn't  the  sort  to  die  of  thirst.  / 

(Wilding  near  Mrs.  Seabeook.     Stella  rises  and  goes 
round  k.  of  settee.) 

(Marshall  exits  l.) 

Harry.     (To  Mabel.)     What  short  memories  these  im 
aginative  people  have!      (Back  c. ) 
Mabel.     Very ! 

(Stella  gets  up  to  c.  l>ack) 

Wild.     (Aside)     I  was  a  fool  to  tell  that  story.    * 

Mr.  S.  (Coming  doivn  to  Vv'ildixg  on  his  r.  Stella 
joins  Mabel  and  Harry)  Harry,  you  must  really  try 
and  be  more  polite  to 

Mrs.  S.     To  Stella.     But  this  is  Mr.  Wilding,  James. 

Mr.  S.  (Aside)  Whew!  A  narrow  escape!  (Goes 
R.) 

(Mabel  down  to  him — and   leads  him   to   seat  r.) 

Mrs.  S.  (To  V/ilding)  Young  people  are  never  happy 
unless  they  are  quarrelling  and  making  it  up.  But  you 
should  know  their  way  better  than  I,  Mr.  Wilding,  for 

you  are  one  of  them  still — certainly  not  more  than 

(With  a  secret  anxiety) 

Wild.     Not  more  than  twenty-five. 

(Stella  and  Harry  together  liack.) 

Mrs.    S.    (Aside,    half   rising    in    agitation)    Twenty--** [^ 
five!  ^ 

Wild.     I  must  be  going,  Mrs.  Seabrook. 

Mrs.  S.  You  are  not  going  to  leave  us  yet,  Mr.  Wild- 
ing, or  I  shall  think  you  find  us  very  dull.  You  have  not 
seen  the  billiard  room.  Harry  is  quite  a  champion 
player  and  I  have  made  him  teach  the  girls.  It  is  such 
good  exercise.  Harry,  you  will  play  Mr.  Wilding  a  game 
of  billiards? 

Harry.  Delighted!  (Down  on  Wildixg's  r.,  l)elo%o 
him) 


^ 


12  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

(As  he  goes  down,  Stella  across  l.  c.  at  'bacJc.) 

(Wilding    goes    up    to    Mabel — Harry    comes    down    c. 

Stella  down  c.) 

(To  Stella)     Why  are  you  angry  with  me? 

Stella,  I  am  not  angry  with  you,  although  you  have 
been  a  little  rude. 

Harry.  I  am  sorry,  but  I  hate  you  to  be  so.  interested 
in — in '  '4»^ 

Stella.     In  any  one  but  yourself?     (Moves  down  l.) 

Harry,  (l.  c.)  I  was  not  going  to  say  that.  But  I 
didn't  think  you  would  like  anyone  I  disliked. 

Stella.  Didn't  you  really?  Now,  Harry,  please  tell 
me  when  and  where  it  was  that  I  entered  into  a  com- 
pact to  regulate  my  likes  and  dislikes  with  yours? 

Harry.     Oh!    if  you  take  that  tone,   I   have  nothing 

more  to  say.     If  the  sight  of  a  new  face  can (To 

R.,  the7i  goes  up  c,  to  Mabel) 

Wild.  (Crossing  to  c.)  Miss  Darbisher,  Miss  Sea- 
brook  insists  on  backing  her  brother.  Won't  you  back 
me?  \^ 

#Harry.     I  hate  him!      (Up  r.)  f  * 

vV  Mabel.     (To  Harry)     Beat  him  if  you  love  me — give 
lliim  a  good  sound  drubbing! 

Harry.     I'd  like  to. 

(Exeunt  Both.)  ^ 

^  V--- 
Wild.     (To  Stella)     Won't  you  be  induced  to  back        f 

me? 

Stella.     I  must  see  how  you  play  first.  i^ 

Wild.     I  promise  you  I  play  a  bold  game.  "V 


r 


(Exeunt  Both.) 
(Mr.  Seabeook  in  arm  chair  asleep.) 


Mrs.  S.  (Soliloquizing)  It's  strange,  very  strange! 
Betty  can  only  decide  as  I  have:  that  this  Mr.  Wilding 
bears  a  most  startling  resemblance — (l.  of  piano) — to — 
to  him, — the  man  who  would  have  been  my  husband  had 
he  not  died.  The  face^-the  strange,  pale  eyes — the  bear- 
ing— the  voice — all  so  like,  so  like!  Something  in  the 
manner,  too — mysterious,  but  impenetrable.  It  can  only  ^ 
be  a  coincidence — but  what  memories  his  presence  '^ 
arouses.  Something  like  a  shock  comes  to  me  when  I 
look  at  him  or  when  he  speaks.  Why  is  that?  (l.  c.) 
Only  the  shock  of  memory,  I  suppose — rudely  awakened 
from  a  long  sleep. 


■y 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


13 


X^ 


[WalTcs  room,  sees  her  husband,  stands  tefore  him.) 

My  husband— my  good  husband!  The  man  with  the 
'golden  heart!  God  bless  him.  I'd  sacrifice  my  life  be- 
fore his  happiness — before  I  would  allow  his  faith  in 
his  wife  to  be  shaken.  Betty  should  be  here  by  now.  I 
must  talk  with  her  alone.  (Leans  over  the  back  of  her 
husband's  chair)     James!     James! 

Mr.  S.  (Drowsily)  My  love,  among  your  host  of  vir- 
tues, I  regret  that  that  of  permitting  me  to  enjoy  the 
leading  article 

Mrs.  S.     I  want  you  to  go  to  the  billiard  room,  dear,  .»ir 

to  keep  the  young  people  in  order.     Harry  is  so  hasty,  /^^P^ 
and  he  seems  to  have  taken  an  unreasonable  dislike  to  '^ 
Mr.  Wilding.     I  shouldn't  like  him  to  be  rude  to  your  |W 

friend.  Akrt 

Mr.  S.     I'll  go— though  I'd  rather  stay  here.  '^  Jf" 

Mrs.  S.     Is  that  a  compliment  to  me  or  the  arm-chair?     rp^ 

Mr.   S.     Honours  are  divided.     I  dozed  off  because  I\ 
was  happy  and  comfortable.     You  made  me  happy.  I 

Mrs.  S.     And  the  arm-chair  made  you  comfortable? 

Mr.  S.  Exactly!  (Rises)  Now  where  are  my 
glasses? 

(The  glasses  are  hanging  doivn  his  back.  Mrs.  Sea- 
brook  passes  them  over  his  shoulder  and  puts  them 
on  for  him.) 


Mrs.  S.    Why!  here  they  are. 

(Mr.   Seabrook  kisses   her  hand.) 


Mr.  S.     Thank  you,  dear, 
clever  you  are! 


How  clever  you  are!     How 


(Exit  R.) 


./. 


Mrs.  S.  I  am  ashamed  to  practise  even  so  slight  a 
^  deception  on  him.  Yet  from  the  first  I  have  hidden  away 
from  him  just  one  thing  which  might  have  made  so  much 
difference.  It  was  cheating  him  out  of  his  confidence, 
winning  it  under  false  pretences.  I  could  never  bear 
to  lose  it  now.  I  prize  it  too  dearly.  I  cannot — I  will  not 
lose  it.   (r.  c.) 


(Enter  Bates   l.) 


i.o 


Bates.    Lady  Staunton. 


*f 


I..^^ 


/■ 


14:  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

'Enter  Lady  Staunton,  l.) 
{Exit  Bates  l.) 

Mrs.  S.     (r.  c.)     I  am  delighted  that  you  were  able  to 
come. 

Lady  S.     John  swore  furiously  at  my  desertion.    You 
know  how — er — vigorous  his  language   is  during  these 
attacks?    However,  your  note  was  so  imperative  and  so      .  . 
mysterious  that  I  bore  his  abuse  with  my  fingers  in  my  "'^ 
gars — and — here  I  am,  dying  to  hear  what  you  want  me 
for.     {Sits  L.) 

(Mrs.  Seabrook  shuts  doors  r.  and  comes  down  l.) 

Mrs.  S.     Betty,  James  brought  a  stranger  here  to  din- 
ner to-day. 

Lady  S.     That's  not  unusual!     James  does  that  sort 
of  thing.     A  man? 

Mrs.  S.    Yes.  :    , 

Lady    S.    You    may    thank    your    stars    it    wasn't    a  V;;  V-' 
woman!     What  sort  of  man?     Anything  strange  about     -? 
him? 

Mrs.  S.     Yes.     {Standing  r.  of  Lady  Staunton.) 

Lady  S.     Ah!     Some  of  your  husband's  casual  friends 
are  a  little 

Mrs.  S.    Betty,  this  man  is  like  him! 

Lady  S.     (A  little  startled — slowly)     Like  whom? 

Mrs.   S.     {After  looking  round  to  &e  sure  they  are 
alone)     Like  Harold  Gage.     {Kneels) 

{Pause.) 

Lady  S.     You  know  I  never  allow  that  subject  to  be 
mentioned  between  us.  v 

Mrs.  S.     I  know  that.     But  this  man ^vV' 

Lady  S.     We  agreed  that  his  name  should  be  buried    ^  ^ ' 
with  him,  and  deep  as  his  grave  we  buried  the  memory    V: 
of  your  unfortunate  attachment.  5""^      "^ 

Mrs.  S.     Remember  I  should  have  been  his  wife.  y*^ 

Lady   S.     Had   he   lived.     But  it  was  better  that  he     ^# 
should  die.     He  was  a  strange  impossible  man. 

Mrs.  S.     Like  this  man. 

Lady  S.     This  man? 

Mrs.  S.     The  man  who  is  here  to-night — Mr.  Wilding. 
He  is  that  one  over  again. 

Lady  S.     A  chance  likeness. 

Mrs.  S.     But  it  is  so  startling!     You  will  own  it  when 
you  see  him.    And  his  age  is  twenty-five. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  15 

Lady  S.     Twenty-five.  1-^4^ 

Mrs.  S.     Might  it  not  be  fate?  '  ,,  ,P-' 


:.^ 


Lady  S.     Fate!     Stuff  and    nonsense!     There    is    no 
such  thing.     You  are  nervous  and  imaginative. 

Mrs.  S.     At  that  terrible  time,  Betty,  you  acted  with- 
out consulting  me. 

Lady  S.     I  acted  for  the  best.     When  you  confided 
me — I   resolved  to   save  you.     No  one  knows  what  oc- 
curred.    The  secret  is  locked  in  our  own  hearts. 

Mrs.  S.     But  the  poor  child?  ^.'Ch 

Lady  S.     My  dear  Mary,    it    was    reared    by    honest        hty 
people.     What   more    could    a    child    have?     Everything        r"*    » 
that  could  be  done  for  the  boy  was  done.     You  were  dis-  ^         \^ 
tracted  when  he  ran  away  from  school  and  disappeared.   |\ AjjiC 
I  looked  upon  it  as  an  act  of  providence.     Still  we  made   '  ^'^^'■^' 
every  inquiry,  and  there's  no  doubt  that  what  we  heard 
was   true — that   he   stowed    away   on   board    some    ship 
•bound  for  Australia.     I've  heard  Australia  is  a  splendid 
country  for  boys. 

Mrs.  S.     Betty,  this  man  comes  from  Australia. 
Lady  S.     So  do  many  people. 
.  AIrs.  S.     It  was  wicked  to  disown  the  poor  little  one.  .      >■ 

{/Lady  S.     It  was  wise. 

"rs.    S.     (Rises)     No,   no!     It   was   wicked.     I   have 
if  ten  felt  it — when  I  have  been  alone.     It  has  given  me  )        i 

lany  a  sleepless  night,  it  has  come  back  to  me  suddenly  i    jy\ 

ith  a  shiver  in  moments  when  I  have  been  happy  with  %  f 

^my  husband  and  my  children,  it  has  pursued  me  secretly,  * 

ut  remorselessly — this  one  thought — this  one  cruel  ques- 
tipn — where  is  my  boy? 

■•"TTady  S.     You  may  be  thankful  that  you  can't  answer  »    >  f. 

,  the  question.     The  whole  affair  was  very  unfortunate:    \  i^^W^ 
/  but  it  is  old  enough  to  be  forgotten.     Why  don't  you 
j  forget  it?  ^^  I 

l.^  Mrs.  S.     I  can't,  Betty,  I  can't!  j  The  wrong  was  too       f  v^t^ 
great  to  forget.     To  have  thrown  E^T^ild  into  the  mer-       ^  ]  " 
,  ^less  arms  of  the  world.     How  couM  I  have  done  it! 

But  I  was  ill — scarcely  conscious— -|ji*^jou g    1-  »A' 

Lady    S.     (Rises)     I    saved    you^^ur    reputation —     jjtJ^'^" 
,^our  honor — perhaps  your  life.     There  was  no  other  way. 
(Crosses  up  c.  to  r.,  doivn  r.  hack  of  settee  and  then  sits    ,  ii 
on  settee)     You  are  just  a  Httle  ungrateful,  dear.  h^^i^ 

.  Mrs.  S.     I  am  sorry!     Forgive  me.     But  I  should  not       P jjuu^ 
-^liave  permitted  my  little  one  to  be  sacrificed  for  me.     I       ^^^ 
should  not  have  been  persuaded  by  you  to  marry  James     ,    i    i.l^ 
without  telling  him  the  truth.     That  was  my  worst  fault.  \  uaI^aM^ 
■^{Crosses  to  l.) 
^yl-ADY  S.    You  owed  it  to  me  to  keep  the  affair  secret. 


^f^ 


# 


IG  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

The  loss  of  j^oiir  reputation  would  have  reflected  upon  mo 
as  your  sister.     I  was  determined  you  should  not  lose  it 
^\       /  —jmd  I  am  still! 

.lij^    |/Mrs.  S.     My  punishment  will  come.     (Goes  up  c.) 
W'        ^  Lady  S.     (Sits  e.)     Nonsense!     You  are  a  little  out 
of  sorts,  that's  all.     You  may  be  sure  that  boy  has  pros- 
\         pered,  leading  a  free  open  life  in  the  new  world — much 
happier  than  he  would  have  been  in  this  hot-house  civ- 
ilization of  ours — and  much  healthier. 

Mrs.  S.  (Comes  doivn  to  l.  of  Lady  Staunton)  If 
he  should  be  the  boy,  Marshall  might  recognize  him. 

Lady  S.  I  think  not.  He  was  too  young  when  he  dis- 
appeared. Still  it  was  indiscreet  to  choose  the  Mar- 
shalls  to  have  the  child  sent  to.  They  had  been  our 
tenants  for  generations,  and  in  these  little  affairs  one 
can't  go  too  far  from  home. 

Mrs.  S.     But  they  never  guessed  the  child's  parentage. 

Lady  S.  Of  course  not!  But  had  I  been  you,  I  should 
never  have  taken  a  Marshall  into  my  service  afterwards. 
However,  no  harm  has  come  of  it — or  ever  will.  And 
now  we  have  had  the  wretched  old  skeleton  out  and 
shaken  his  bones,  let  us  lock  the  cupboard  again — and 
throw  away  the  key. 

Mrs.  S.     But  this  Mr.  Wilding 

Lady  S.     I  will  see  him. 

(Enter  Bates  l.) 

Bates.     Mr.  Gardiner. 

Mrs.    S.     Mr.   Gardiner?    Oh!    of  course — Harry   has 
been  expecting  him.     Show  Mr.  Gardiner  up. 
(Exit  Bates  l.) 
(To  Lady   Staunton)     You   remember   Mr.   Gardiner 
who  was  here  last  year? 

Lady  S.  The  Queenslander  squatter?  Oh  yes — an- 
other Australian!  fie  must  have  some  attraction  here 
to  return    so    soon.     I    remember    now    that    he    and 

Mabel 

■>^V      Mrs.  S.     Mabel  is  a  child. 
^'ii^'""^  Lady  S.     Ah!     I've  discovered  you  again.     What  in- 

n    .Inveterate    match-makers    mothers    are!     But    your    pet 
'  '   '^        scheme  with  regard  to  Harry  and  Stella — is  that  pro- 
gressing? 

Mrs.  S.     I  think  so.     Stella  is  a  lovable  girl,  and 

\  Lady  S.     And  an  heiress. 

J^  W        Mrs.  S.     You  know  I  never  think  of  such  things.     But 
Jujj^^       Harry  is  very  devoted  to  her. 


9 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  17 

(Enter  Gardiner  l.,  shown  in  'by  Bates     Mrs.  Seabrook 
rises  and  goes  up  a  little  to  c.   Lady  Staunton  rises) 

Mrs.  S.  (c. — shaking  hands)  I'm  delighted  to  see 
you  back,  Mr.  Gardiner. 

Gar.  Not  more  delighted  than  I  am,  Mrs.  Seabrook. 
How  do  you  do,  Lady  Staunton? 

(Shakes  hands.) 

Lady  S.  Well,  thank  you.  It's  unnecessary  to  ask 
how  you  are — you're  fresh  from  the  ocean. 

Gar.  Yes,  we  only  landed  at  Plymouth  this  morning, 
and  I  hurried  on  by  the  first  train,  (c.)  I  couldn't  re- 
sist the  temptation  of  calling  on  you  at  once,  though  I 
risked  finding  myself  in  the  way. 

(All  sit.) 

Mrs.  S.  Not  in  the  least!  By  the  way,  I  must  con- 
gratulate you  on  your  narrow  escape.  Harry  read  me 
your  letter  about  your  encounter  with  the  bushranger. 
Is  he  caught  yet? 

Gar.  Indeed  he's  not,  and  is  not  likely  to  be,  I'm 
afraid. 

Lady  S.     A  bushranger?     An  anachronism  surely! 

Gar.  Oh  dear  no!  We  had  a  real  live  bushranger  at 
large  in  Queensland  last  year.  A  certain  Captain  Swift. 
I  ought  to  know,  for  he  stole  the  finest  horse  I  ever 
owned,  and  on  one  occasion  he  held  a  pistol  in  my  face 
for  several  anxious  moments. 

Lady  S.  How  exciting!  And  he  has  not  been  cap- 
tured. 

Gar.  No — but  he  will  be  if  he  is  alive,  which  I  begin 
to  doubt.  These  gentlemen.  Lady  Staunton,  never  man- 
age to  escape  from  the  country.  They  are  either  captured 
by  our  mounted  police,  or  driven  further  and  further 
into  the  interior  by  the  pursuit,  die  in  the  end  of  thirst 
or  starvation. 

Mrs.  S.     Poor  wretches! 

Lady  S.  They  must  be  mad  to  enter  such  a  life  with 
the   certainty   of  being  caught. 

Gar.     I  think  most  criminals  are  more  or  less  mad. 

(Warning  for  curtain.) 

Mrs.  S.  (To  Lady  Staunton)  Mr.  Gardiner  is  a 
psychologist.    {Rises,  moves  c.) 


.f 


\f 


^J'~ 


18  .  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Lady  S.     Psychology  in  the  bush!      (Laughs) 
(All  rise.     Mrs.   Seabkook  c.  Gardiner  crosses   to   her. 

Lady  Staunton  goes  back  of  stage  and  down  to  l. 

of  Mrs.  Seabrook. 

Mrs.  S.     By  the  way,  did  you  ever  meet  a  Mr.  Wilding 
in  Queensland? 

Gar.     Wilding — Wilding?     I    may   have — but    I    don't 
remember  the  name.     What  was  he? 

Mrs.    S.     I    am    not    sure — but    he    was    at    the    gold 
mines,  I  believe. 
K      Gar.     If   he'd    been    a   bullock    driver    I    might    have 
•^p    known  him,  but  I  never  suffered  from  an  attack  of  gold 
fever. 

(Enter  Mabel  and  Harry  e.) 
"J ' 
r-    'liy        Mabel.     To  let  him  beat  you!     It's  too  bad!     But  he 
plays  well. 

Harry.     Like     a      professional.     (Seeing     Gardiner) 
Look!   who  is  that? 

Mabel.     Ah!      (Appears  delighted) 

(Lady  Staunton  in  chair  l.) 

Harry.  Well? 

Mabel.  I'd  know  that  back  anywhere. 

Harry.  Why,  it  must  be 

Mabel.  Of  course! 

(Gardiner  turns  c.  Mrs.  Seabrook  to  Lady  Staunton — 
they  talk.) 

Harry.     Gardiner! 
Gar.     That's  the  man! 

Harry.     My  dear  fellow,    how    are    you?     I    am    de- 
lighted  

(Shake  hands.) 

Gar.     And  you,  Miss  Seabrook?     (Crosses  to  her.) 

(Harry  moves  a  little  r.  c.) 

Mabel.     How  do  you  do,  Mr.  Gardiner? 

(Enter  Mr.  Seabrook  simultaneously.) 

Mr.  S.     Gardiner!      (Joins     group,     coming     between 
Harry    and    Gardiner)     This    is    a    pleasant    surprise! 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  19 

(Looking  at  Haury)     Ah!      (Shakes  hands  with  Hahhy.) 

How    extremely    well    you    are    looking!      (Mistaking 
Harry  for  Gardiner)  ^-i 

Gar.     (Turning  him  round)     I'm  glad  you  think  so.  [ 

(Harry  goes  up.)  jt. 

Mr.  S.     (Having  put  on  glasses  and  looked  at  Gab-    X 
iner)     You  are  indeed!      (Aside)     Very  nearly  made  a^ 
mistake,     (c.) 

(Mabel  and  Gardiner  go  up  to  Harry.  Mrs.  Seabrook 
up  behind  piano.  Lady  Staunton  rises,  comes  l.  c. 
Harry,  Gardiner  and  Mabel  get  over  r.  ) 

How  are  you,  Betty?     (Shakes  hands) 

(Comes  down,  crosses  to  Lady  Staunton  glasses  off.  To 
Lady  Staunton  in  an  affectionate  manner — Lady 
Staunton  crosses  r.) 

We  must  have  Gardiner  with  us  at  Fernshawe,  dear. 
Mrs.   S.     Certainly,   dear — ask  Mr.   Gardiner  down. 

(Mr.  Seabrook  up  to  group  at  l)ack.) 

Wild.     (Off)     I  told  you  I  played  a  good  game. 

(Mrs.  Seabrook  goes  up  to  Lady  Staunton.) 

Mrs.  S.  He  is  coming.  Look  well  at  him  and  tell 
me 

Lady  S.  Control  yourself,  dear.  It's  interesting,  but 
can  make  no  difference. 

(Enter  Wilding  and  Stella,  who  walk  straight  to  piano 
L.  well  up.  Gardiner,  Harry  and  Mabel  are  r.  Mr. 
Seabrook  going  to  them.  Mrs.  Seabrook  and  Lady 
Staunton  on  ottoman  well  doivn  r.  c.  After  Stella 
and  Wilding  enter,  Mr.  Seabrook  sits  up  r.  c.) 

Stella.  I'm  afraid  I've  been  letting  my  music  get 
old-fashioned.     Will  you  choose  something? 

Lady  S.     The  figure  is  not  unlike.  ,  ,     i.^ 

Mrs.  S.     But  the  face— wait!  (jJ^' 

(Wilding  turning  over  music,  his  back  to  all  but  Stella.), 


20  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Wild.     These  are  all  new  to  me — and  after  all  the  old 

songs 

Mr.  S.    We  expect  you     at    Fernshawe    next     week, 
Gardiner. 
(jjp''^  Wild.     [Aside)     Gardiner!      (With  fear) 

\  Gar.     I  shall  be  delighted  to  run  down  after  Tuesday. 

\      Your  soft  English  scenery  is  a  refreshing  relief  after 
/6    lIKk^    our  melancholy  bush. 
(V>^^       .      Wild.     {Aside)     The  bush!       Good  God! 

-'''  (Stella  has  continued  to  turn  over  the  music,  not  no- 

ticing Wilding.) 

Harry.     (Bri7iging  Gardiner  across  c.)     By  the  way, 
I  must  introduce  you  to  a  brother  Queenslander. 
Stella.     (With  music)     Do  you  know  this? 

(As  he  does  not  answer,  she  looks  up,  and  seeing  his 
expression  is  afraid.) 

Harry.     Mr.  Wilding,  let  me  introduce 

{Pause.) 
(Wilding  still  with  his  hack  turned.) 

Wild.     Will  he  know  me?    No — impossible!         J^^' 

{Then  with  an  effort  he  composes  his  face  and  gathering 
himself  together  sloivly  turns.) 

Mrs.    S.     {To   Lady   Staunton,   with  subdued   excit^-' 
ment)     Look!  ''",:'■ 

Harry.  Mr.  Wilding — Mr.  Gardiner.  But  perhaps  you 
have  met  before. 

(Lady  Staunton  raises  her  eye-glasses  and  looks  at 
Wilding.  A  pause,  during  which  Gardiner  and  Wild- 
ing look  at  each  other — Wilding  smiling.) 

Wild.  I  have  of  course  heard  of  Mr.  Gardiner,  as 
every  Queenslander  has — but  this  is  the  first  time  I 
have  had  the  good  fortune  to  meet  him. 

{Enter  Marshall  with  lighted  candelabra — comes  down 
back  of  piano.) 

(Harry  goes  back   again.    Wilding   awaits  reply   anx- 
iously.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


21 


Mrs.  S.    Well? 
Lady  S.      The  image! 
Gar.     No — I've    never   had   the    pleasure    of   meeting 
Mr.  Wilding  before. 
Wild.     No — never  before. 


f^' 


(Wilding  turns  to  piano  and  meets  Marshall's  eyes  as 
Marshall  places  candelabra  on  piano.) 


Gab.     {Aside)     Yet  I  know  that  voice! 


0> 


ACT  II. 

OPENING  MUSIC. 

Scene — Exterior  of  Mr.  Seabrook's  Country  House 
"Fernshawe."  A  terrace  very  handsome  and  pictur- 
esque. Stella  discovered  in  hammock  with  book. 
Enter  Mabel  c.  from  l.,  comes  down  behind  Stella 
puts  her  hand  over  her  eyes.) 


Stella.     Mabel! 

Mabel.  I'm  so  dull.  Harry  is  sulking,  Mr.  Gardiner 
and  Mr.  Wilding  are  in  the  stables,  and  you  are  read- 
ing; what  have  you  there?     {Down  r.  c.  of  Stella) 

Stella.     Adventures.     {Without  looking  up) 

Mabel.     In  Australia? 

Stella.     Yes. 

Mabel.     Particularly  in  Queensland,  perhaps 

Stella.     Partly. 

Mabel.     Probably  lent  you  by 

Stella.     No,  I  found  it  in  the  library. 

Mabel.     And  probably  chose  it  because 

Stella.     Exactly. 

Mabel.  Seems  interesting;  what  sort  of  adventures 
are  you  at  now? 

Stella.     {With  playful  awesomeness)    Bushrangers! 

Mabel.     Awful!      Stella,  do  you  like  Queenslanders? 

Stella.     I  only  know  two,  they  seem  very  nice. 

Mabel.     One  of  them  is — but  the  other 

Stella.     The  other?     Oh,  I  think  Mr.  Gardiner 

Mabel.  The  other  means  Mr.  Wilding.  Mr.  Gardiner 
we  know,  he  is  quite  an  old  friend.  But  Mr.  Wilding, 
(Stella  quickly  returns  to  her  book)  Oh,  very  well,  if 
you  won't  listen,  but  please  don't  say  I  didn't  warn  you. 
{Crosses  r.  sits  on  seat.) 


22  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

(Enter  Gardiner  and  Wilding  c.  from  l.) 

Gard.  You're  a  good  judge  of  horseflesh  Wilding,  (b. 
c.) 

Wild.  Not  better  than  you  are.  I  used  to  hear  that 
you  bred  the  finest  horses  in  Queensland,     (l.  c.) 

Gard.     Well,  I  have  raised  some  fairly  good  cattle. 

Wild.     Miss  Darbisher  seems  absorbed. 

Mabel.     Yes, — she's  a  deep  student,     (b.) 

Wild.     Of  what? 

Mabel.     Bushrangers. 

(Wilding  starts  violently — Gardiner  watches  him.) 

Gard.     (Aside)    Ah!  that  startled  him. 

Stella.     (Holding  up  hook)     Australian  adventures. 

Wild.  (Recovering  himself)  Interesting  people, 
Bushrangers,  Miss  Darbisher. 

Gard.     (Looking  at  Wilding)     Very! 

Stella.     Have  you  ever  met  any? 

Wild.     No  I've  never  had  that  honour. 

Gard.  Talking  of  Bushrangers  reminds  me  that  the 
finest  horse  I  ever  owned  was  stolen  by  a  Bushranger. 

Wild.     Indeed! 

Gard.  A  fact,  I  assure  you,  by  no  other  than  Captain 
Swift. 

Wild.     Captain  Swift!     Ah!     I've  heard  of  him. 

Gard.  Of  course  ynu  have,  and,  as  you  say,  a  blood- 
thirsty ruffian  he  was. 

Wild.     (Starting  up)     I  said  nothing. 

Gard.  No,  I  beg  your  pardon,  perhaps  you  are  right. 
He  was  not  so  bad  as  he  looked. 

Wild.  (Deliberately)  You  must  be  the  better  judge 
of  his  looks  and  character  than  I,  since  you  appear  to 
have  met  him,  whilst  I  labour  under  the  disadvantage  of 
never  having  set  eyes  on  him  in  my  life. 

(Helps  Stella  out  of  hammock) 

Mabel.     (To  Gardiner)     Is  he  caught  yet? 

Gard.     No — I'm  afraid  he  must  be  dead. 

Wild.     So  I've  heard. 

Gard.  Really — that's  interesting,  may  I  ask  who  was 
your  informant? 

Wild.  (Coolly  and  deliberately  looking  at  Gardiner) 
A  certain  Mr.  Jones.     (Turns  to  Stella) 

Gard.     That's  indefinite.     (Crosses  r.  to  Mabel) 

Mabel.     So  is  Mr.  Wilding. 

Gard.     Don't  you  like  our  friend?     (Stella  sits  l.) 

Mabel.     Do  you? 

Gaed.    Immensely.    After  all,  Wilding,  you  mustn't  be 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  23 

severe  on  poor  Swift.  I'll  describe  an  incident  in  his 
career  which  shows  him  in  very  favourable  colours. 
(Crosses  c.)  Now  suppose  for  a  moment  you  are  Swift. 
(Business  with  hunting  crop) 

Wild.     And  what  are  you  supposed  to  be? 

Gard.     Ah!     I  offend  you. 

Wild.  Not  in  the  least.  I'm  never  offended  by — small 
things. 

(Sits  R.  of  Stella.) 

Gard.  (c.)  Well,  I'll  tell  the  story  without  illus- 
tration. I  was  riding  to  the  station  one  night  with  my 
pockets  crammed  with  bank  not'es  with  which  to  pay 
my  shearers  next  day.  It  was  a  very  dark  and  very 
lonely  bush  ride.  Suddenly  I  heard  horses'  hoofs  on  the 
track  behind  me.  I  knew  in  an  instant  that  they  be- 
longed to  "Starlight",  the  famous  black  horse  that  Swift 
had  stolen  from  me,  and  that  it  was  useless  for  me  to 
fly;  so  I  pulled  up.  In  a  few  moments  Captain  Swift 
was  alongside. 

Mabel.     Had  you  met  him  before? 

Gard.  No.  I  didn't  know  him — nobody  did.  No  one 
knows  now,  I  think,  who  he  really  was,  nor  has  anyone 
knowingly  seen  his  full  face,  for  he  always  wore  a  mask. 

Wild.  A  mask  eh?  What  a  curious  thing,  to  wear  a 
mask. 

Gard.  Well,  he  pulled  up  with  revolver  in  his  hand, 
and  asked  politely  enough  for  my  money.  I  should  men- 
tion that  he  wore  a  beard  at  that  time.  (Looking  at 
Wilding  ) 

Wild.     Then  you  have  seen  him  since? 

Gard.     No,  but  he  may  have  shaved,  you  know. 

Wild.     Oh  yes,  of  course,  he  might  have  shaved. 

Gard.  Have  a  cigar,  (hands  cigar  case)  1  should 
also  mention  that  he  had  a  strange  voice. 

Stella.     What  kind  of  a  voice? 

Gard.     Well — like — like 

Wild.     Thanks,     (Handing  back  cigar  case.) 

Gard.     Like — I  can't  describe  it.     (Grosses  r.  c.) 

Mabel.     What  did  you  do? 

Gard.  You  shall  hear.  I  was  unarmed.  I  held  a 
large  sum  of  money — nearly  two  thousand  pounds,  with 
which  I  didn't  care  to  part. 

Stella.     And?  (Rises  and  crosses  c.) 

Gard.  I  refused  to  hand  it  over.  (Stella  crosses  r. 
behind  seat) 

Wild.     (To  Stella)     You  see,  Mr.  Gardiner  is  a  hero! 


\/ 


24:  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gard.     Not  a  bit  of  it. 

Wild.     Give  me  a  light,  will  you? 

(GARDirs'ER  holds  cigar  to  give  Wilding  a  light.) 

Gard.  And  I'll  tell  you  why,  Wilding.  Swift  was  as 
close  to  me  as  you  are,  holding  up  his  pistol  and  looking 
straight  at  me  with  his  pale  eyes;  and  I  could  see  in' 
his  eyes  as  plainly  as  I  can  in  yours  that  whatever  his 
crimes,  he  was  incapable  of  murder.  I  was  only  brave 
because  I  knew  he  was  unable  to  kill  me. 

Mabel.     And  didn't  he? 

(Seated  r.  Wilding  sits  l.  in  hammock.) 

Gard.  No,  he  didn't,  Miss  Paddy.  He  couldn't 
frighten  me  out  of  the  money,  so  he  disappeared. 

Mabel.     That  was  nice  of  him. 

Gard.  Now  you  see.  Wilding,  why  I  am  so  interested 
in  this  Captain  Swift. 

(Stella  goes  up  c,  still  reading  hooTc.) 

Wild.     He   would   doubtless  be  very   flattered — if  he 
knew,     (l.) 
.  Gard.     Perhaps  he  does  know.     I  owe  him  my  life. 

Mabel.  I  can't  see  that.  If  you  owe  your  life  to 
everyone  who  doesn't  kill  you,  your  debt  is  pretty  heavy. 

Gard.  {Sits  hy  Mabel)  Suppose,  Miss  Seabrook,  you 
were  swimming  in  the  ocean  and  a  shark  came  along  and 
announced  his  intention  of  gobbling  you  up,  but  on  sec- 
ond thoughts  went  off  without  doing  so,  wouldn't  you 
be  somewhat  grateful  to  the  monster? 

Mabel.  No,  I  should  bear  him  a  grudge  for  frighten- 
ing the  wits  out  of  me. 

Wild.  (To  Gardiner)  Then  you  don't  think  so  badly 
of  this— Swift? 

)  jGard.     I  think  there  must  be  some  good  in  him. 
^Mabel.     There  can't  be  much  good  in  a  thief! 

Wild.     A  thief,  Miss  Seabrook! 

Mabel.     Yes.     A  highwayman  is  only  a  romantic  thief. 

Gard.  Swift  wouldn't  have  stolen  your  pocket  hand- 
kerchief, but  he  rode  into  a  small  township  one  day, 
with  his  mask  on,  of  course,  got  off  his  horse  and  coolly 
walked  into  a  branch  of  the  Queensland  National  Bank. 
No  one  dared  interfere  with  him,  and  raising  his  hat 
to  all  the  women  he  passed  he  had  always  the  man- 
ners of  a  gentleman,  you  know 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  25 

=^Mabel.     What  a  bushranger! 

Gard.     Why  not,  a  bushranger  is  not  always  the  ruf- 
fian depicted  by  a  penny  novelette;   this  Swift,  for  in- 
^  stance  was  a  bit   of  a  student.     Gentleman   Bill,   they 
called  him. 

Wild.     Gentleman  Bill — eh?    What  a  rum   name. 
Gard.     Anyhow  he  rode  away  with  the  air  of  a  prince 
and  £15,000  in  his  pocket.     {Rises,  crosses  to  Wilding) 
What  can  he  have  done  with  the  money.  Wilding? 

(Mabel  rises  and  goes  up  r.  to  c.) 

Wild.     I  wonder!      {Lying  back  in  liammoclc.) 

Gard.     And  as  you  say,  he  v\^ouldn't  have  much  chance 
of  spending  it  in  the  bush.     {Goes  up  c.  to  Mabel) 
(Stella  closes  book  and  rises.     Enter  Harry  c.  comes 

doivn  to  Stella.     Gardixer  up  to  Mabel,  Stella  doivn 

l.  c.  as  V/ildixg  moves  to  c.) 

Wild.  {Rises)  No!  He  suspects  me,  but  he  can  kno.w 
nothing,  and  I'll  silence  even  him. 

(WiLDiXG  moves  to  c.  as  he  speaks,  meeting  Harry  as 
lie  enters.     Gardiner  and  Mabel  up  c.  a  little  l.) 

{Looks  at  Harry)     How  are  you? 

Harry.     How  are  you? 

Wild.     I'm  not  safe  here.     {Goes  up  to  c.  'behind  tree) 

Mabel.  {To  Gardiner)  Oh,  I  promised  to  take  Papa 
for  a  walk. 

Gard.     Let  me  help  you. 

Mabel.  Perhaps  he'll  object.  {Crosses  to  l.  of  Gardi- 
ner. ) 

Gard.     Let  us  ask  him. 

(Exeunt  both  c.  to  l,     Wildixg  strolls  up  round  tree, and 
folloius  Mabel  and  Gardixer  off) 

Stella  comes  doicn  to  r.  folloiced  by  Harry.) 

Harry.  {To  Stella)  You've  been  very  cool  to  me  for 
the  last  few  days. 

Stella.  What  nonsense!  Why  should  I  be?  {Crosses 
and  sits  r.) 

Harry.  I  don't  know,  I'm  sure  I  haven't  deserved  it. 
But  let  us  forget,  let  us  be  the  same  again.  {Sits  arm  of 
seat) 

Stella.     Willingly. 

Harry.  That's  splendid.  I've  been  quite  miserable — 
supose  we  have  a  gallop  before  lunch.     You  can  run  in 


26  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

and  put  your  habit  on;  it  won't  take  you  a  minute,  and 
I'll  have  the  horses  saddled.     (Going  uj)  c.  quickly) 

(WiLDixG  re-enters  up  l.  c.) 

Stella,  (rises,  not  very  toillingly,  hut  seeing  Wild- 
ing sits  again.)  But  you  forget,  we've  arranged  to  ride 
in  the  afternoon,  and  I  am  so  anxious  to  finish  this  book. 

Harry.  Or  to  talk  to  Mr.  Wilding,  (Coming  down 
to  her) 

Stella.     Now  you  are  absurd. 

Harry.  How  eagerly  you  throw  over  an  old  friend 
for  a  new  one. 

Stella.  It's  natural  v/hen  the  new  one  is  a  sensible 
man,  and  the  old  one  a  rude  boy. 

Harry.     Did  you  mean  that,  Stella? 

Stella.     Yes,  I  dislike  rude  people. 

Harry.  And  I  hate  fickle  women.  (Crossing  r.) 
A^ld  scheming  adventurers. 

(Exit  E.  1  E.) 

(Wilding  conies  down  hehind  seat.) 

Wild.  (Leans  over  seat)  You  like  adventures.  Miss 
Darbisher — 

Stella.     Yes,  I  wonder  you  don't  write  yours. 

Wild.  (Aside)  Humph!  They  are  not  worth  it,  and 
they  are  over  now.     (Sits  r.  corner  of  seat) 

Stella.     You  will  not  travel  any  more. 

Wild.     I  am  tired  of  v/andering. 

Stella.  I  should  have  thought  it  too  interesting  a 
life  to  give  up  without  a  struggle. 

Wild.  It  wouldn't  cost  me  a  struggle.  I  began  to 
realize  that  there  are  dearer  prizes  in  life  than  novelty. 

Stella.     What  could  have  more  charm? 

Wild.     Home! 

Stella.     Home! 

Wild.     Yes,  if  one  could  find  a  home. 

Stella.     You  surprise  me. 

Wild.  It  has  been  in  my  heart  for  years,  this  longing 
for  a  place — a  little  world  all  mine.  It  means  someone 
to  love — someone  to  love  one.     (Rises  and  C7'osses  c.) 

Stella.  That  is  a  humble  ambition,  everyone  reaches 
it. 

Wild.  Not  everyone.  I  have  never  had  a  home.  I 
have  been  alone  all  my  life.  All  my  people  died  when  I 
was  young.  I  have  never  been  loved — I  have  never  dared 
to  love — until  now.     (Looks  at  her  furtively) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  27 

Stella.     Until  now? 

Wild.     And  now  I  dare  not  speak  it. 

Stella.  (With  affected  lightness)  Why  not?  (Rises 
and  crosses  l) 

Wild.  Nowadays  before  a  man  permits  himself  to 
fall  in  love,  he  should  be  in  a  position  to  satisfactorily 
answer  two  questions. 

Stella.     What  are  they? 

Wild.  Number  one — what  are  you?  Number  two — 
what  have  you? 

Stella.     You  are  cynical. 

Wild.  And  hov/  could  I  meet  those  questions.  Who 
am  I?  A  wanderer;  with  no  living  kith  or  kin.  What 
have  I?     Property — none.     Money — well — yes 

Stella.  A  woman  who  loved  you  wouldn't  ask  such 
questions. 

Wild.  A  woman  who  loved!  A  woman  who  loved 
me,  might  save  me. 

Stella.     From  what? 

Wild.  From  myself.  From  despair — do  you  think  I 
could  find  such  a  v/oman? 

Stella.      (Going  l.)     I  think,  Mr.  Wilding 

Wild.  Forgive  me.  Miss  Dar])isher.  I  scarcely  dare — 
and  yet  you  are  so  good — you  shall  tell  me.  Was  I  a 
fool — a  madman  to  come  down  here,  knowing  so  cer- 
tainly what  would  happen? 

^tella.     That  what  would  happen? 
/%ild.     That  I  should  love  you.     (Taking  her  hand) 
^    Stella.     Mr.  Wilding! 

Wild.  What  have  I  done?  I  was  a  madman  to  speak. 
I  might  have  known  that  I  should  anger  you.  (Going 
up  c.) 

Stella.     I  am  not  angry — only (Crosses  c.  to  r.) 

Wild.     Only (Coming  to  her  on  her  l.) 

(Enter  Maesiiall  c.  from  l.,  comes  doivn) 

Stella.     What  can  I  say? 

Wild.     Whatever  your  heart  tells  you  to  say. 

Stella.     My  heart  tells  me 

Wild.     That  you 

Mars.     Mr.  Wilding— (a^  tack  q.) 
Wild.      (Aside)     Curse  him! 
Mars.     Can  I  speak  to  you  sir,  for  a  moment? 
Wild.     (Furious)     No! 

Mars.  A  matter  of  business  sir,  but  some  other  time 
will  do. 

Stella.     I  am  going. 


28  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Wild.     Don't  go,  the  man  can  wait. 
Stella.     No,  I  want  to  be  alone — to  think. 
Wild.     But  your  answer? 
Stella.     I  will  tell  you  later. 
Wild.     To-day? 
Stella.     Yes,  to-day. 

(Exit  Stella  e.  1  e.) 


/m 

/w. 

]/    m 


Wild.     She   will   say  yes;     I   think  that  would   save 

e.  Why  not?  She  is  her  own  mistress.  We  could 
marry  at  once,  then  even  if  they  discovered  me,  they 
would  not  molest  me.  This  Gardiner  is  apparently  go- 
ing to  join  the  family  himself,  and  for  the  sal:e  of  the 
family  he  must  take  my  part,  if  anything  unpleasant 
should  arise.  Could  anything  unpleasant  arise?  No 
— I  think  not.      (l.)     I  think  not. 

Mars.     Mr.  Wilding — (up  stage  l.) 

Wild.  Oh,,  you're  still  there.  What  the  devil  do  you 
want? 

Maes.  (Aside)  He  don't  talk  like  that  when  any  of 
the  family's  around.  I  want  to  speak  to  you  on  a  sub- 
ject of  importance  to  me,  sir. 

Wild.     How  can  it  interest  me? 

Maes.    Well,  sir,  you  knew  the  gentleman. 

Wild.     What  gentleman? 

Mars.     My  brother,  sir. 

Wild.  Your  brother!  No,  I  did  not  know  the — gen- 
tleman. 

Mars.  Excuse  me,  sir,  he  was  a  bit  of  a  gentleman  in 
his  way,  'aughty  and"  'igh  'anded  from  a  kid,  and  you 
knew,  him  sir,  in  Queensland,  where  he  died,  of  thirst 
as  I  heard  you  say.     Marshall  sir,  William  Marshall. 

Wild.     (Aside)     My  God!      (By  tree  l.) 

Mars.  Yes,  sir — the  man  as  you  did  the  tramp  with, 
my  brother,  poor  Bill. 

(Wilding  takes  out  pipe.) 

Wild.  Your  brother,  eh?  Your  brother!  Fetch  me 
some  matches. 

Mars.  (Aside)  Fetch  him  some!  Well,  if  he  ain'i 
the  coolest  'and. 

Wild.     Look  sharp. 

Mars.     Yes  sir. 

(ExitL.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  29 

Wild.  I'm  not  safe  here.  This  place  is  a  hornet's 
nest.  The  long  arm  of  coincidence  has  reached  after 
me.  Ah,  I  neglected  one  thing — silence!  Yet  how  could 
I  suspect  when  I  told  the  story  about  the  tramp  in  the 
bush  that  the  gaping  ears  of  a  prying  servant  were 
drinking  it  in,  and  that  he  should  be  this  horrible  Mar- 
shall. How  could  I  have  foreseen  when  I  accepted  Sea- 
brook's  invitation  that  I  should  meet  a  suspicious  squat- 
ter, and  that  he  should  be  this  very  Gardiner?  What 
must  I  do?    Abandon  it  all,  and  go  back? 

(Sees  and  picks  up  Stella's  look  sits  r.) 

No,  I  can't,  I  won't  be  an  outcast  again,  I'll  fight  it 
out.     The  end  is  worth  the  struggle. 

(Enter  Marshall  with  matches.) 

Mars.     Matches,  sir. 
Wild.     Thanks. 

(Wilding  lights  pipe.) 

Well,  my  man,  I  suppose  you've  nothing  more  to  say. 
Your  brother  said  nothing  to  me  about  his  friends.  He's 
dead,  and  there's  an  end  of  it. 

Mars.  (Aside)  Is  he!  One  moment,  sir.  (l.  c.) 
You  see,  although  Bill  wasn't  rightly  my,  brother,  only 
adopted  by  my  people — my  foster-brother — I  was  very 
fond  of  him. 

Wild.     (Aside)     Liar. 

Mars.  He  was  sent  away  to  school  when  we  were 
boys  and  I  ain't  seen  him  since,  but  I've  thought  about 
him,  sir,  no  end. 

Wild.  By  the  way,  how  do  you  know  that  this  particu- 
lar Marshall  was  your  foster-brother? 

Mars.  I'd  swear  to  it,  sir,  from  -^'■^at  I  heard  you  say. 
I'd  tell  you  how  I'd  know  him,  to  make  quite  sure.  You 
see  although  I  -^-as  fond  of  him,  we  used  to  row  some- 
times as  boys,  and  one  day  he  hit  me  with  a  rake,  and 
I  let  him  have  it  on  the  left  arm  with  a  pruning  knife. 

(Wilding  holds  his  left  arm  for  a  moment  uncon- 
sciously.) 

Yes,  sir,  just  about  there.  I'll  swear  he  never  lost 
that  mark.     Perhaps  you  noticed  it  on  him,  sir? 

Wild.     No,  I  never  noticed  it. 

Mars.    Yes,  I  loved  Bill  dearly,  though  he  was  treated 


30  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

different  to  me  at  home,  fed  and  pampered  and  educated 
as  if  he'd  been  a  young  lord.  I  got  all  the  kicks  like 
a  dog.  My  people  was  well  paid  for  it,  I  suppose,  and  I 
didn't  hate  him  like  poison  as  some  boys  might,  be- 
cause, after  all,  between  ourselves,  sir — {leaning  close 
to  Wilding)  he  was  nothing  but  a  common  bastard. 

Wild.  {Springing  up  and  seizmg  Marshall  hy  the 
throat,  swinging  him,  to  r.)  You  dog — I'll  wring  your 
cursed  neck! 

(Marshall  trying  to  push  Wilding's  arm  hack,  in  so 
doing  pushing  his  left  coat  sleeve  up  his  arm) 

Mars.     Mr.  Wilding!     sir — I   didn't  mean — I'm 

-  (Suddenly  gazes  on  Wilding's  left  arm  which  is  exposed 
to  the  elbow.) 

The  mark!     The  mark! 

(Wilding  starts  violently.) 

It  was  just  such  a  mark  as  that,  I  made  on  dear  old 
Bill  with  the  pruning  knife. 

Wild.  Well,  now  you  see  that  your  Bill  was  not  the 
only  man  who  had  been  knifed  by  a  cur — (throws  Mar- 
shall down  R.)  now  go.  (Goes  up,  turns)  And  mark 
this.  If  you  ever  presume  to  address  me  in  private 
again,  I  will  thrash  the  life  out  of  you.     (Goes  up  c.) 

Mars.  (Rises  and  folloivs  Wilding  up)  Look  here 
now,  there's  no  use  your  trying  to  frighten  me.  I  mean 
business.  You're  the  fellow  that  was  brought  up  in 
our  family — my  foster-brother.  That  pretty  story  you 
told  the  ladies  about  William  Marshall  dying  of  thirst  in 
Queensland  was  all  humbug,  for  you  yourself  are  Will- 
iam Marshall. 

(Wilding,  about  to  strike  him,  checks  himself;  crosses 
down  L.  c.) 

Now  to  business — William  Marshall  wishes  to  be 
thought  dead — I'm  the  only  one  as  knows  he  is  alive; 
very  good,  I'm  for  sale! 

{Enter  Lady  S.  and  Mrs.  S.  c.) 

Wild.     Sale!     I  should  consider  you  dear  at  any  price. 
Mars.     Oh,  if  that's  the  way,  Mr.  Bill. 

{About  to  strike  him.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  31 

Wild.    What?     {Hitting  Marshall  with  whip) 
Mrs.  S.     (Comes  down  c.)     Marshall! 

(Marshall  to  r.,  Wilding  to  l.  c.) 

Mars.  I  beg  pardon,  ma'am,  but  this — {Aside) 
Shall  I  split,  or  wait  and  make  him  pay? 

Wild.  (l.  c.)  I  beg  your  pardon,  Mrs.  Seabrook,  but 
the  man  who  died  with  thirst  in  Queensland — you  re- 
member my  little  story — was  this  man's  brother. 

Mars,  (r.)  I'll  wait.  {Aside  aloud)  Not  brother, 
ma'am,  but  we  was  brought  up  together,  and  I  was 
very  fond  of  him,  loved  him  more  than  a  brother. 
{Looking  at  Wilding) 

Mrs.  S.  That  will  do — you  may  go.  {Goes  up  c.  a 
little — Lady  S.  down  l.  c.) 

Mars.  {Loking  "back)  The  bastard's  the  gentleman,/ 
and  the  honest  man's  the  servant.  I'll  change  an  thati. 
that. 

{Exit  R.  1  E.) 

Lady  S.  {Coming  down  l.  c.)  Quite  a  strange  coin- 
cidence, Mr.  Wilding. 

Wild.  Life  is  full  of  such  coincidences,  Lady  Staun- 
ton!     {Crosses  r.  up  stage,  takes  hook  from  seat) 

Mrs.  S.  (c.)  What  sort  of  a  man  was  this  Marshall? 
{Comes  doion  c.) 

Wild,  (r.)  Quite  an  ordinary  person.  A  man  of  no 
account.     {Goes  up) 

Lady  S.  (c.  aside,  looking  at  Wilding)  Why,  I  won- 
der does  he  wish  to  be  thought  dead?     {Goes  l.  c.) 

Mrs.  S.  {To  Lady  S.  on  her  r.)  Leave  me  with  him, 
Betty. 

Lady  S.     Why  do  you  wish  to  be  alone  with  him? 
{Pause,  Wilding  is  up  r.  c.)     Mary,  you  are  trifling  with 
a  great  danger. 

Mrs.  S.     What  do  you  mean? 

Lady  S.  That  in  allowing  Mr.  Wilding  to  remain,  you 
will  ruin  the  happiness  of  your  son — Harry. 

Mrs.  S.     How? 

Lady  S.  Are  you  so  blind  that  you  don't  see  how 
Stella  is  beginning  to  love  this  man? 

Mrs.  S.  Stella — nonsense!  Nothing  can  come  between 
Stella  and  my  boy.     {Moves  away  c.) 

Lady  S.  Just  imagine  for  a  moment  that  I  am  right. 
Would  you  allow  your  husband  to  give  his  niece  to  this 
stranger  without  knowing  the  truth. 


32  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Mrs.  S.  Of  course  not.  The  idea  doesn't  bear  thinking 
of.  I've  suffered  too  much  from  my  original  deceit  to 
crown  it  with  such  wickedness.  But  you  are  absurdly 
mistaken.    Leave  me  with  him,  dear — you  can  trust  me. 

Lady  S.  I  doubt  if  I  can,  you've  too  much  of  that 
inconvenient  thing  called  heart.  At  least  promise  me 
to  get  rid  of  Marshall. 

Mrs.  S.     I  will — at  once. 

Lady  S.  And  you  must  get  rid  of  him  (indicating 
Wilding  ) 

Mrs.  S.     Yes,  but  if  he  were  your  son 

Lady  S.     My  son!     Heaven  forbid! 

(Exit  Lady  S.  l.  1  e.) 

Mrs.  S.  Alone  with  him  at  last.  How  I  love  him. 
(c.)  If  I  could  only  do  something  for  him.  Mr.  Wild- 
ing! (He  turns  from  balustrade)  Do  you  know,  you 
interest  me  deeply.     (Crosses  to  seat  r.) 

Wild.  (Behind  seat)  I  am  very  happy  to  hear  it, 
Mrs.  Seabrook. 

Mrs.  S.  (Sits  r.)  You  must  remember  the  gratitude 
I  owe  you  for  saving  my  husband's  life. 

Wild.  (Sits  r.)  That  was  a  trifle,  I  only  had  to 
stretch  out  my  hand. 

(Gong  ready.) 

Mrs.  S.  But  beyond  that  I  am  always  interested  in 
people  who  have  suffered — you  won't  think  me  inquisi- 
tive, but  you  have  not  known  much  happiness  I  fear. 

Wild.     You  are  right,  the  very  word  is  strange  to  me. 

Mrs.   S.     (Aside)     Ah! 

Wild.  I  don't  think  a  man  can  be  really  happy  alone. 
All  my  people  died  before  I  was  old  enough  to  know 
them.     I  have  been  alone  all  my  life. 

Mrs.  S.  (Rises  and  crosses  l.  Aside)  My  sin 
against  him.  Mr.  Wilding,  I  wish  you  to  believe  that  I 
am  your  friend.  We  return  to  Town  in  a  day  or  two, 
and  I  suppose  you  will  be  going  abroad  again? 

Wild.  (Rises)  Perhaps — it  depends  on  circum- 
stances.    (Looks  R.  1  E.) 

Mrs.  S.  In  any  case,  if  I  can  ever  be  of  service  to  you, 
if  ever  you  want  the  help  of  a  friend,  think  of  me — you 
promise,  you  will  promise. 

Wild.  (Takes  her  ha?id)  You  are  very  good.  I 
promise. 

Mrs.  S.     Not  good.    I  have  a  boy  of  my  own. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  33 

Wild.     Ah,  yes. 

Mrs.  S.     You  must  think  of  me  as  your  mother. 

Wild.     I  never  knew  my  mother. 

Mrs.  S.     But  she  loved  you. 

Wild.     I  never  even  learnt  the  word  mother. 

Mrs.  S.     Don't  speak  like  that!     You  will  learn  it. 

Wild.     I  am  too  old  to  learn.     {Goes  up  c.  to  r.) 

(Enter  Mr.  Seabrook  l.  1  e.) 

Mrs.  S.     Don't  say  that!      (c.  up)     Hush.     She  may 
hear  you,  it  would  pain  her. 
Mr.  S.     Mary! 
Mrs.  S.     James! 
Mrs.  S.     Is  that  you,  dear. 

(Gong.) 

Mrs.  S.  (Is  much  agitated,  puts  Mr.  S.  on  seat  r.) 
Yes,  dear,  I  must  see  to  the  luncheon.  I  can't  bear  it. 
(Crosses  l.)     Mr.  Wilding,  you  will  remember? 

Wild.     I  will  remember. 

Mrs.  S.     It's  more  than  I  can  bear. 

(Exit  L.   1  E.) 

Mr.  S.  Wilding?  My  wife  seems  a  little  disturbed. 
Have  you  been  telling  her  one  of  your  charming  but 
painful  stories? 

Wild.     I  must  confess  I  have.     (r.  c.) 

Mr.  S.  (c.)  Ah,  that  accounts  for  it,  she  has  a  very 
tender  heart.  I  will  go  to  her.  I  always  feel  uneasy 
when  she  is  not  near  me.  Will  you -lend  me  your  arm? 
Gardiner  and  Mabel  have  unkindly  deserted  me,  and  I 
mistrust  my  eyes.  (Going)  Do  you  know,  Wilding,  I 
like  you. 

Wild.     I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it. 

Mr.  S.  I  do,  indeed!  Didn't  you  save  my  life, — I  hope 
to  see  a  great  deal  more  of  you. 

Wild.     That  is  my  intention. 

(Exeunt  both  l.  1  e.) 
(Enter  Mabel  and  Gardiner  c.  from  l.) 

Gard.  Tell  me  why  you  think  I  suspect  your  friend — 
(Mabel  gives  look)     I  mean  our  friend. 

Mabel.  Because  you  are  continually  watching  him, 
and  laying  conversational  traps  for  him. 


34  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gard.  Tm  very  sorry,  I  won't  do  it  again.  (Mabel 
sits  R.) 

Mabel.  That's  not  an  answer.  Have  you  remembered 
yet  where  you  heard  his  voice  before? 

Gard.  (Sits)  His  voice?  Miss  Seabrook,  are  you  a 
witch? 

Mabel.  No,  but  I  have  sharp  ears — when  you  were  in- 
troduced to  him  you  muttered,  "  I  know  that  voice." 

Gard.  Well,  I  will  acknowledge  that  his  voice  is  fa- 
miliar, but  there,  I  would  rather  stop  if  you  will  let  me. 

Mabel.     But  suppose  I  won't  let  you. 

Gard.     I  am  afraid  I  should  have  to  tell  you. 

Mabel.     Do.    {Puts  flower  in  Gardiner's  buttonhole) 

Gard.  But  wait — suppose  I  were  to  say  I  have  particu- 
lar reasons  for  not  telling  you  at  present. 

Mabel.  I'm  afraid  I  should  have  to  say — Have  your 
own  way. 

Gard.  That  would  be  very  sensible,  and  suppose  I 
were  to  say,  Mabel,  I 

Mabel.  I  would  have  to  tell  Papa.  {Rises  and  crosses 
to  L.) 

Gard.     Let  me  tell  him. 

Mabel.     He'll  be  very  angry.     You  try  him. 

Gard.     I  mean  to.     {About  to  kiss  her) 

{Enter  Harry  r.  goes  up  c.) 

Mabel.  You  mustn't!  Here's  Harry.  {To  Harry) 
We  haven't  seen  much  of  you  this  morning — have  you 
taken  to  study? 

Harry.     Where  is  Wilding? 

Mabel.     Don't  know.    With  Stella,  perhaps. 

{Exit  Mabel  l.  1  e.) 

Harry,     (r.)     Gardiner! 

Gard.     (c.)     What  is  it,  old  fellow? 

Harry.     This  Wilding — I'm  going  to  insult  him. 

Gard.     Nonsense!     What  for? 

Harry.     Because  I  hate  him. 

Gard.     My  dear  boy,  I  didn't  think  you  were  so  young. 

Harry.  I'm  old  enough  to  know  an  adventurer  when 
I  meet  one. 

Gard.  Well,  supposing  he  is  an  adventurer,  it  would 
scarcely  be  good  form  to  insult  him  under  the  circum- 
stances. 

Harry.  Damn  form!  You  seemed  to  have  conceived 
quite  an  attachment  for  the  fellow. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  35 

Gard.     Perhaps  I  have  in  a  way.     He  interests  me. 

Harry.  Although  you  know  in  your  heart  as  well  as 
I  do  that  he's  a  scamp  and  not  fit  to  be  here — that  if  the 
governor  weren't  so  simple — so  easily  taken  in 

{Enter  Wildixg  l.  1  e.) 

Gard.  Hush!  Here  is  Wilding — now  come  avv^ay  and 
don't  be  a  fool.     {Both  go  up  c.  Harry  led  'by  Gardiner) 

Harry.  {Coming  down  to  r.  of  Wilding)  Mr.  Wild- 
ing, I  want  to  convey  to  you  as  politely  as  you  will  let 
me  that  I  don't  like  you. 

Wild.     Eh? 

Harry,     I  don't  like  you,  sir. 

Wild.  Indeed!  That  is  interesting — but  not  im- 
portant. 

Harry.  It  should  be  sufficient  if  you  have  any  gen- 
tlemanly instinct. 

Wild.  I'm  afraid  our  ideas  of  gentlemanly  instinct 
differ,  if  I'm  to  judge  of  yours  by  your  present  con- 
duct. 

Harry.  You  may  judge  what  you  like,  sir;  my  opinion 
remains  that  finding  your  presence  here  to  be  obnoxious 
you  should  withdraw. 

Wild.  When  I  learn  that  I  am  your  guest,  I  shall  cer- 
tainly not  remain. 

Gard.      (r.  to  Harry)     Why  will  you  be  a  fool? 

Harry.  Leave  me  alone.  {To  Wilding)  That  is  a 
paltry  quibble.  You  are  the  guest  of  my  father,  who  be- 
ing simple  in  the  ways  of  the  world 

Wild.  In  which  you  are  apparently  very  learned,  and 
experienced. 

Harry.  Experienced  enough  to  detect  in  you  the  com- 
mon adventurer. 

Wild.     {Menacingly)     What? 

Gard.  {Taking  Harry  down  r.)  Come  away,  Harry — 
this  is  idiotic  and  discreditable. 

Harry,     Don't  interfere,  Gardiner. 

Gard,  I  must.  You  don't  know  the  man.  You're 
playing  with  fire, 

(Harry  breaks  away  and  goes  up  stage) 

Wild.  {Having  controlled  his  temper)  The  passions 
of  a  jealous  youth  may  be  interesting  to  you,  Gardiner, 
as  a  psychologist,  but  to  me  they  are  wearisome.  Take 
him  away  to  some  cool  place,  and  let  him  simmer  down. 
{^Crosses  to  r.) 


36  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Harry.  (Coming  down  to  l.  of  Wilding)  By  Heaven, 
sir,  if  words  won't  move  you,  I'll  try  something  more 
forcible.     (Raises  hand  to  strike  Wilding.) 

(Enter  Mrs.  Seabrook  c.  from  l.) 

Gard.     You  are  mad. 

(Simultaneously) 

Mrs.  S.     Harry!      (Pause)     What  does  this  mean? 

Wild.     Merely  a  friendly  discussion  on 

Harry.     It's  a  lie. 

(Wilding  gets  hehind  seat) 

Mrs.  S.  Harry,  you  will  please  remember  that  I  am 
present.  I  will  not  have  your  father's  guest — my  guest 
insulted.  Mr.  Wilding,  with  the  instinct  of  a  gentle- 
man, wished  to  conceal  from  me  that  you  have  been 
quarrelling. 

Harry.  He  is  not  a  gentleman,  and  I  have  told  him 
so. 

Mrs.  S.  Hush,  dear,  now  go — and  leave  me  to  apolo- 
gise to  Mr.  Wilding  for  your  rudeness. 

(Wilding  goes  up  r.  Gardiner  a  little  up  l.  c.) 

Harry.  If  you  prefer  this  stranger  to  your  own  son. 
(Down  R.  c.  a  little) 

Mrs.  S.  (With  great  pain  c.)  Harry,  stop!  you — 
you — shock  me.     Go!      (Harry  crosses  l.) 

Gard.  (r.  of  Harry)  I  tell  you  candidly,  my  friend, 
you  have  made  a  fool  of  yourself. 

Harry.     No  matter,  he'll  have  to  go. 

Gard.  No  doubt,  but  you  want  taming.  Try  twelve 
months'  bullock  driving. 

(Gardiner  pushes  Harry  oif  l.   1  e.   and  follows.) 

Mrs.  S.  (l.  c.)  Mr.  Wilding,  I  am  excessively 
pained 

Wild,  (c.)  I  beg  that  you  will  not  speak  of  it.  Your 
son  has  not  been  very  polite  to  me,  but  I  can  forget  it, 
although  it  has  cost  me  dearly  in  cutting  short  my  visit 
here. 

Mrs.  S.  Don't  say  that.  Harry  is  young,  only  twenty 
— and  excessively  hot-headed.     He  seems  to  have  some 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  37 

fancied  grievance  against  you,  which  I  can't  understand 
— you  will  not  leave  for  such  a  trifle? 

Wild.     I  must — at  once — to-day. 

Mrs.   S.     To-day. 

Wild.  Yes.  I  can't  permit  myself  to  be  a  cause  of 
discord  here.  I  have  been  very  happy  in  your  house, 
Mrs.  Seabrook.  It  is  over  now.  But  I  must  always  think 
of  you  with  the  deepest  gratitude.  Good-bye!  (Goes 
up  c.) 

Mrs.  S.  Good-bye.  No. — no — (aside)  I  cannot  let  him 
go.     Stay  at  least  until  to-morrow. 

(Enter  Stella  r.  1  e.) 

Stella.  Haven't  you  heard  the  luncheon  gong? 
(R.  c.) 

Wild.     Miss  Darbisher  shall  decide,     (c.) 

Mrs.  S.     Mr.  Wilding  talks  of  going  to-day.     (l.  c.) 

Stella.     To-day? 

Wild.  Mrs.  Seabrook,  I  have  dared  to  love  your 
niece. 

Mrs.  S.    You  love  Stella? 

Wild.    Let  her  decide. 

(Wilding  turns   to  Stella.) 

Mrs.  S.  Ah!  (Crosses  l.)  This  is  impossible! 
(Aside)  It  would  mean  discovery.  (To  Wildixg)  It 
would  ruin  Harry's  happiness. 

Wild.     Harry's! 

Mrs.  S.     Yes,  he  loves  her. 

Wild.  And  I?  Miss  Darbisher,  shall  I  go  or  shall  I 
stay? 

Stella.     Don't  go. 

Wild.     Stella,   my   darling. 

Mrs.  S.     Oh!     Brother  against  brother! 

(Moans — leans  against  tree  in  fainting  condition) 
Stella      Wilding 

Mrs.  S. 
CURTAIN. 


38  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 


ACT  in. 

AFTER  DINNER — SAME   DAY   AS   ACT   II. 

Scene — Smoking  room  or  Conservatory  at  Fernshawe; 
that  is,  a  conservatory  with  a  little  fountain  playing 
and  dressed  with  exotics,  filled  up  with  lounges  and 
chairs.  A  short  staircase  between  l.  u.  e.,  and  Cur- 
tains at  the  top. 

(Harry  discovered  smoking,  up  stage  r.  c.) 

Harry.  It's  all  over  then.  There's  evidently  an  un- 
derstanding between  them.  That's  why  the  Mater  is  so 
put  out  and  the  Gov's  so  quiet  to-night.  The  hawk  has 
secured  the  pigeon.  He  is  a  hawk,  I'll  swear — he  has  it 
in  his  face — his  voice — in  his  manner.  He  only  wants 
her  money.     (Sits  l.  of  r.  table)     What  idiots  women  are 

and  what  idiots  men  must  be  to  love  them I 

can't  help  it — I  love  her  still — I  must  love  her  although 
she's  jilted  me  for  a  cad  she's  only  known  for  a  week. 
She  liked  me  well  enough  till  he  came,  if  she  didn't 
actually  love  me.     (Rises)     By  Heaven!   he  shan't  have 

her  if  I  have  to  kill  him I'll  swear  Gardiner 

knows  something  about  him — Why  doesn't  he  speak? 
(Sits  R.  of  R.  table.) 

(Enter  Marshall  with  coffee  l.  u,  e.) 

Marsh.     Coffee,  sir.     (Puts  it  down) 

Harry.     Thanks. 

Marsh.  (Going)  He'd  like  to  know  what  I  do.  It'd 
be  worth  a  few  pounds  to  him.  Wilding  refuses  to  pay. 
Perhaps  he  will.     (Pause)     I'm  leaving  to-morrow,  sir. 

(Comes  back  c.) 

Harry.     Oh,  that's  all  right. 

Marsh.  I've  been  a  long  time  in  your  mother's  fam- 
ily, sir,  and  my  people  served  you  before  I  was  born; 
but  now  I've  been  turned  away  with  a  fortnight's  pay. 

Harry.  Have  you?  Well,  for  very  good  reasons,  no 
doubt.     That  will  do. 

Marsh.     Very  good  reasons  for  Mr.  Wilding,  sir. 

Harry.    Wilding!     What  do  you  mean? 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  39 

Marsh,  (r.  c.)  I'd  swear  it's  him  as  has  had  me 
turned  away. 

Harry.     Nonsense.    What  has  Mr.  Wilding  to  do  with 

That's  for  him  and  me  to  say. 
Well,  say  it.     Did  you  ever  meet  him  before? 
(Contemptuously)     Did  I  ever  meet  him  be- 

Don't  repeat  my  words,  please.     If  you  have 

lything  to  say,  say  it  and  go. 

Marsh.  Well,  yes,  sir,  I  will — but  you  see  I'm  dis- 
missed, and  likely  enough  I'll  be  out  of  a  situation  for 
some  months. 

Harry.     Yes;  I  should  say  that's  likely  enough.     (Con- 
temptuously) 
V  Marsh.     And  times  is  pretty  hard,  sir. 

iHARRY.     I   see.     You   want  to  be   paid.      (Rises  and 
en-osses  l.) 
*AIarsh.     Don't  we  all,  sir? 

Harry.  (Sits  l.  on  seat)  Yes,  my  experience  is  that 
^^^all  do. 

■^"I^ARSH.  Besides,  I  have  a  great  affection  for  Mr.  Wild- 
ing— love  him  dearly,  sir — and  I  don't  think  it  would  be 
fair  to  sell  him,  not  under  a  considerable  sum. 

Harry.     Of  course  not. 

Marsh.  You  could  crush  him,  sir,  if  you  knew  what 
I   do. 

Harry.     (Aside)     No.      (Aloud)     That   will    do. 

Marsh.     And  you'll  pay,  sir. 

Harry.  (Angrily)  Get  out,  before  I  kick  you  out. 
(Crosses  r.  c.) 

Marsh.     (Aside)     Middle  class  cub. 

(Exit  L.  2  E.) 

Harry.  No,  that  sort  of  thing  is  too  dirty.  I'll  trust 
to  Gardiner.  He  swears  it  will  be  all  right — and  that 
he  is  the  real  master  of  the  situation.  Well,  he  ought 
to  exert  himself,  as  he  is  evidently  going  to  marry  Mabel, 
and  wouldn't  exactly  care  for  this  scamp  as  a  cousin-in- 
law.  (Goes  up  c.)  Would  Stella  hate  or  love  me  if  Wild- 
ing were  exposed — God  knows! 

(Going  off  r.  up) 

(Enter  Stella  l.  u.  e.) 

Stella.     Harry,  are  you  here? 


40  CAPTAIN  SVVIFT.- 

{He  is  "behind  an  exotic  and  doesn't  reply,  hut  smokes 
violently.) 

Ah,  there  is  no  smoke  without  fire.  (Discovers  him) 
I  thought  so.  Why  don't  you  come  to  the  drawing  room? 
{Down  L. ) 

Harry.     Because  I'd  rather  not.     (r.) 

Stella,  (c.)  Come,  you've  been  here  long  enough. 
Is  it  because  you  are  angry  with  me?  I've  come  to  say 
I'm  sorry. 

Harry.     For  what? 

Stella.  For  speaking  unkindly  this  morning.  Won't 
you  forgive  me? 

Harry.     Yes,  I  forgive  you  that. 

Stella.  You  imply  that  there  is  something  else  which 
you  won't  forgive.  Well,  I  must  be  content  to  take  your 
forgiveness  in  installments.  Don't  let's  talk  any  more 
now  for  fear  we  shall  quarrel  again.  Come  to  the  draw- 
ing-room! 

Harry.     Stella! 

Stella.     Harry,  you  distress  me! 

Harry.  You  ask  me  to  come  to  the  drawing  room  to 
see  that  man  making  love  to  you  when  you  know  that 
you  are  breaking  my  heart. 

Stella.     I  don't  know  it.     I  never  knew {Sits  l.) 

Harry.  You  never  knew!  Not  when  we  were  chil- 
dren? 

Stella.     No. 

Harry.  {Back  of  settee  l.)  Not  when  we  grew  older 
and  were  almost  inseparable,  and  when  at  school  wrote 
to  each  other  every  week? 

Stella.     Ah,  but  that's  different. 

Harry.  And  didn't  you  even  guess  down  here  the  year 
before  last  from  what  I  said  to  you  in  the  orchard? 

Stella.     I  never  thought  that  you  were  serious. 

Harry.  {Sits  r.  of  Stella)  I  was  too  serious.  And 
you  were,  too — tell  me,  did  you  never  feel  any  love  for 
me? 

Stella.  I  don't  know — I  don't  think  so,  or  I  couldn't 
have  cared  for  anyone  else.  I  have  always  thought  you 
my  very  dearest  friend.  If  I  married  you  I  should  lose 
a  dear  friend — I  almost  feel  as  if  I  had  lost  one  now. 

Harry.  If  you  had  not  met  this— Mr.  Wilding,  do  you 
think  you  would  have  loved  me? 

Stella.     {Crosses  to  r.  c.)     How  can  I  say? 

Harry.  {Slight  pause)  would  you  still  love  him  if 
you  learned  that  he  is  utterly  unworthy  of  you? 

Stella.    That  is  impossible! 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  41 

Haery.     Try  and  suppose  it. 

Stella.  I'd  rather  not.  I'd  rather  not  speak  of  it. 
I  must  go  to  the  drawing  room — (going  up  c.)  if  you 
will  not  come.     (Going  to  l.  uj)  c.  k.) 

Harry,  (c.)  I  will  tell  you.  You  would  not  love 
him.  You  don't  really  love  him  now,  but  he  has  fas- 
cinated you  with  his  romance,  his  melancholy,  his  ad- 
ventures  

Stella.  Harry,  we  have  surely  been  friends  too  long 
to  become  enemies  now.      (Gets  e.) 

Harry.  (Follotvs  Stella)  Enemies!  No — I  will  al- 
ways love  you,  Stella. 

Stella,     (r.)     But  you  insult  someone  I  care  for. 

Harry,  (c.)  Yes.  I  can't  help  hating  him — but  I 
needn't  have  insulted  him.     I  am  sorry. 

Stella.     But  you  have  not  told  him  so. 

Haeey.     What!     You  would  have  me 

Stella.     Wouldn't   it   be   manly? 

Harry.     It  is  impossible,     (Crosses  r.) 

(Enter  Wilding  c.  from  l.) 

Wild.     I  beg  your  pardon. 

Stella,  (r.  c.)  Mr.  Wilding,  you  and  Harry  must 
both  feel  that  you  have  something  to  regret. 

Wild.  (l.  c.)  I  assure  you  that  no  one  can  regret 
more  than  I 

Harey.  (r.)  Excuse  me.  The  blame  rests  entirely 
with  me.  I  insulted  Mr.  Wilding  this  morning  for  the 
absurd  reason  that  I  am  unable  to  feel  any  friendship 
for  him. 

Wild.     That  is  my  chief  cause  for  regret 

Harey.  Being  in  the  wrong  I — I  wish  to  say — (look- 
ing at  Stella)  that — I  am  sorry. 

(Exit  E.  1st.) 

Stella  (c.)  You  see,  he  is  a  good  fellow  after  all; 
you  mustn't  dislike  him. 

Wild,  (l.)  I  don't  dislike  him,  I  admire  him.  I  was 
unable  to  rest  in  the  drawing  room  without  you. 

Stella.     Why? 

Wild.     I  seem  afraid  of  losing  you. 

Stella.     Oh — you  will  not  lose  me. 

Wild.  I  wish  I  could  feel  sure  of  that.  But  such  hap- 
piness seems  too  good  for  me — and — and 

Stella,     Yes? 

Wild.     Barriers  seem  already  to  be  rising  between  us. 


4:2  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Stella.  What  do  you  mean?  I'm  sure  my  guardian 
likes  you — besides,  he  would  deny  me  nothing. 

Wild.     I  was  not  thinlving  of  your  guardian. 

Stella.     You  mean? 

Wild.     Yes,  I  mean  Mrs.  Seabrook. 

Stella.  It  is  strange,  but  I,  too,  have  fancied  that 
she  is  just  a  little  opposed  to  our  engagement.  What 
can  be  the  reason? 

Wild.  (Half  to  himself)  I  cannot  guess.  I  wish 
I  could,  otherwise  slie  is  so  good  to  me.  And  yet  I  can't 
help  feeling — (Crosses  r.)  that  if  you  and  I  should  be 
parted  it  will  be  through  her.     (Sits  k.  on  settee) 

Stella,  (Standing)  Please  don't  be  so  gloomy,  I 
am  sure  we  will  not  be  parted;  perhaps  Auntie — with 
a  proper  sense  of  English  propriety — thinks  we  have  not 
known  each  other  long  enough  yet. 

Wild.     Perhaps  she  feels  that  I  am  not  worthy  of  you. 

Stella,     Impossible  to  feel  that. 

Wild,     Then  you  trust  me? 

Stella.  If  I  did  not  trust  you  so  entirely  I  could  not 
love  you. 

Wild.     (Absently)     Yes, 

Stella.     Now  you  needn't  be  gloomy  any  more. 

(Gets  around  to  k.  of  him,  sitting  on  his  k,  at  end  of 
couch) 

Wild.    Not  if  you  assure  me  that  nothing  can  part  us. 
Stella,     Nothing  shall  part  us. 

Wild.     And  if  your  aunt  persists  in  her  opposition? 
Stella.     But  she  can't. 
Wild.     Why? 

Stella.  Well,  doesn't  it  stand  to  reason  that  the  more 
she  knows  of  you,  the  more  she  will  like  you. 

(Music.     Wilding  rises.) 

Wild.     (Pause — looks  at  her)     Er — yes,      (Smiles) 
Stella.     But  you  are  convinced? 

(He  kneels  on  ottoman) 

Wild.     I  shall  only  be  qtiite  happy  when  we  are  mar- 
ried.    If  you  will  let  me  press  for  an  early  day. 
Stella.    Not  too  soon.     (Is  seated) 

(Wilding  takes  her  two  hands) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  43 

Wild.     I  mean  very  soon. 

(Stella  rises) 

Would  that  be  making  too  great  a  claim  on  your  con- 
fidence? 

Stella.  Promise  me  in  return  that  we  shall  travel 
for  a  year. 

{They  walk  together  to  c.) 

Oh,  I  long  to  have  some  adventures — to  see  all  tha 
queer  things  you  have  seen — kangaroos — wambats — 
opossums — and  the  lions  and  the  tigers 

Wild.    Well,  er 

Stella.     Not  lions? 

Wild.     I'm  afraid  I  can't  promise  you  lions. 

Stella.  And  those  strange  men  the  miners  almost 
turned  to  savages — and,  yes — I  think  I  would  even  like 
to  meet  a  bushranger. 

(Wild,  starts.) 

But  only,  if  you  were  with  me,  of  course. 

Wild.     Of  course, — Yes,   I    promise.    • 

Stella.  Yes — we  will  go  to  the  scene  of  your  adven- 
tures— we  will   go  to   Queensland. 

Wild.  No,  we  will  not  go  to  Queensland,  not  to 
Queensland. 

iExeunt  c.  to  i..) 

(Music  stops.    Enter  Gardiner  and  Mr.  Seabeook  2 
E.  d.     Gardixer  puts  Seabrook  on  settee  l.) 

Mr.  S.  I  regret  very  much  to  say,  Gardiner,  that 
I'm  becoming  suspicious. 

Gard.     Suspicious,  sir!  of  whom? 

(Brings   chair   to  r.   of  Mr.  Seabrook.) 

Mr.  S.  Of  mankind  and  the  world  in  general.  The 
thought  of  becoming  suspicious  in  my  old  age  gives  me 
great  uneasiness. 

Gard.     What  can  be  the  cause  of  the  attack? 

Mr.  S.     Heaven  knows. 

Gard.     When  did  it  come  on? 

Mr.  S.  To-day,  after  lunch,  when  our  friend  Wilding, 
pounced  upon  me  with  an  offer  for  my  niece's  hand. 


44  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gard.  (Aside)  This  must  be  stopped,  (Aloud) 
Have  you  given  any  reply  to  Wilding  yet? 

Mr,  S,     No;  I  have  promised  to  do  so  to-morrow, 

Gard.      (Aside)     To-morrow! 

Mr.  S,  I  have  no  idea  what  I  am  to  say.  But  I  must 
confess,  Gardiner,  he  is  a  good  fellow — and  a  gentleman 
— I  like  him, 

Gard,     So  do  I — to  a  certain  extent, 

Mr,  S,  Now  you  know  when  my  suspicions  began, 
I'll  confess  still  further — you'll  think  me  ridiculous — 
.but  they  extend  even  to  you. 

Gard.     To  me? 

(Gardiner  rises  and  puts  dack  chair,  coming  doivn  to 
R,  c.) 

Mr,  S.  Forgive  me,  but  it's  true.  By  the  way  you 
carefully  conducted  me  here  from  the  drawing  room — 
not  in  a  casual  way,  it  seemed  to  me,  but  with  a  certain 
amount  of  method  and  deliberation,     (Goes  l.  c) 

Gard,     I'm  caught! 

Mr,  S,  I  noticed,  too,  that  before  leading  me  away, 
you  held  an  animated  conversation  with  Mabel  in  a 
corner.  You  see  I'm  getting  on;  becoming  quite  an  ac- 
complished spy.  Isn't  it  dreadful,  eh?  (looks  closely  at 
Gardiner,  tvith  his  glasses  on)  Now,  I  notice  that 
you've  changed  colour.  Yesterday  you  might  have  re- 
mained the  colour  of  a  boiled  lobster  for  hours  without 
my  noticing  it.  And  now — it's  very  distressing — a 
healthy  flow  of  blood  to  the  face— and  I  suspect  you. 

Gard,     You  have  my  sympathy, 

Mr,   S,     Of  course  my  suspicions  are  groundless? 

Gard.     What  direction  do  they  take? 

(Enter  Mabel  u.  e.  l.) 

Mr,  S.     'Pon  my  word,  I  can't  say — that  is — er 

Gard,     Do  you  suspect  me  of  a  desire  to  rob  you? 

Mr,  S,     Well,  I  can't  say  that 

Mabel.  (At  back  c.  Aside)  I  wonder  has  he  said 
it  yet. 

Mr.  S,  Still,  I  hope  you'll  remember  that  honesty's 
the  best  policy,     (Going  l,) 

Mabel,  Oh,  it  can't  be  settled  yet,  I'm  worth  more 
discussion  than  that, 

Gard.  Stay,  one  moment,  (Sees  Mabel  and  motions 
her  not  to  come — aside  to  her)     Go  away. 

Mabel.     I  shan't. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  45 

Mr.  S.  {Seeing  the  action,  hut  not  suspecting  the 
cause)     Eh? 

Mabel.  I  should  so  like  to  hear.  {Retires  behind 
exotic) 

Gard.  I  say  that  I  will  be  honest  with  you.  I  did 
not  propose  to  rob  you — but,  on  the  contrary  to  naake 
you   a   present. 

Mr..  S.  A  present — that's  nice  of  you.  {Aside)  I 
suspect  more  and  more. 

Gard.  You  have  a  limited  family — two.  I  wish  to 
augment  that  number. 

Mr.  S.     Oh! 

Gard.     By  presenting  you  with  another  son. 

Mr.  S.     {Groans,  a7id  sits  l.) 

Gard.  A  poor  enough  creature — but  mine  own — in 
fact,  myself. 

Mr.  S.     Ah! 

Mabel.     Now  I'm  sure  he's  come  to  the  point. 

Mr.  S.  Gardiner,  Gardiner,  my  worst  suspicions  are 
confirmed. 

Gardiner.     Your  worst  suspicions! 

Mr.  S.  Yes!  You  disguise  it  with  alluring  sophistry 
— but  yon — you  meditate  a  robbery — my  little  treasure — 
my  Mabel.  I  suspected  your  design — I  expected  this  loss 
— but — {overcome)  it  seems  to  me  that  what  we  expect 
is  the  very  thing — for  which  we  are  always  least  pre- 
pared.    {Rises.) 

Mabel.     I  can't  bear  this — I  wish  I  hadn't  come. 

Gard.    Mr.  Seabrook — {Gets  a  little  to  c.  r. ) 

Mr.  S.  There,  there — of  course,  I  don't  blame  you — • 
but 

(Mabel  running  forward  and  throwing  her  arms  round 
Mr.  S.) 

Mabel.  Papa — what  is  this?  I'm  sure  Mr.  Gardiner 
has  been  saying  some  horrid  things  to  you. 

Mr.  S.  Yes,  and  I  daresay  he's  been  saying  the  same 
horrid  things  to  you,  dear. 

Mabel.  Come  away — you  shan't  listen  any  more.  I 
thought  George — I  mean  Mr.  Gardiner — had  more  good 
feeling. 

Gard.     Oh! 

Mr.  S.  {Going)  Oh,  he's  a  hardened  ruffian,  dear. 
You  rescued  me  in  the  nick  of  time. 

(Mabel  looks  hack  at  Gardiner  and  kisses  her  hand  as 
she  exits  with  Mr.  S.) 


46  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

(Gardiner  sinking  into  settee  l.) 

Gard.  What  a  lucky  devil  I  am.  I've  accomplished 
in  five  days  what  I  came  back  to  England  for.  This 
Wilding  business  is  the  only  trouble  left.  I'm  afraid  I've 
not  acted  properly.  I  ought  to  have  warned  him  off 
at  once — but,  hang  it,  I  never  suspected  that  he  would 
play  such  a  bold  game — that  Stella  would  fall  in  love 
with  him,  and  that  he  would  propose  to  marry  her.  I've 
let  myself  into  a  hole — and  I  don't  see  well  how  to  get 
out  of  it.  Suppose  I  say  to  him.  Wilding,  iny  friend,  the 
game's  up — you  must  go,  I  know  you.  He  denies  it  and 
asks  for  proofs.  Hang  it,  I  can't  say  I  knov/  you  by  your 
voice — by  your  demeanour  under  certain  references  I 
have  cunningly  made,  and  by  my  inner  convictions.  He 
would  laugh — he  might  even  be  rude  enough  to  say 
"  damn  your  inner  convictions!  "  Yet  he  must  be  got 
rid  of — and  quietly,  for  the  sake  of  the  family — our 
family 

(Enter  Marshall  l.  1  e.) 

Bring  me  some  brandy  and  soda. 

Marsh.  Yes,  sir.  There  is  a  gentleman  called  to  see 
you — from  London,  sir — Mrs.  Seabrook  told  me  to  bring 
him  in  here. 

Gard.  Bring  him  in  then.  (Aside)  Who  the  deuce 
can  this  be? 

(Marshall  hrings  in  Ryan) 

M\RSH.     Mr.  Ryan! 

Gard.  Ryan!  Ryan!  I  don't  know  him.  You  wish 
to  see  me? 

Ryan,  (c.)  Yes,  sir.  Came  down  from  London  on 
purpose. 

Gard.     Take  a  seat,  Mr.  Ryan. 

(Gardiner  sits  r.  c.) 

Ryan.  After  you.  Thank  you.  (Looks  at  watch) 
There's  an  up-train  at  10:30  which  I  must  catch.  My 
time's  precious. 

Gard.  Good!  Mine  is  not  without  value.  What  can 
I  do  for  you? 

Ryan.  (Taking  out  pocket  book)  You  are  Mr.  Gardi- 
ner, owner  of  Marylands  Station,  Queensland? 

Gard.     True — and  you  have  lately  been  in  the  tropics, 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  47 

you  have  lived  in  the  colonies,  are  of  business-like  habits 
and  accustomed  to  interviewing  strangers. 

Ryax.  You  are  evidently  a  close  observer,  sir.  I'm 
glad  of  it,  for  perhaps  you  may  have  observed  what  sort 
of  a  man  Captain  Swift  was  when  he  stuck  you  up  on 
Dingo  Flat? 

Gard.     Captain  Swift! 

Ryan.     Yes,  the  bushranger. 

Gakd.     Then  you  are 

Ryan  (Gives  card)  Exactly — Michael  Ryan — of 
Queensland,  Detective. 

(Goes  up,  takes  chair  and  'brings  it  down  l.  c,  sits.) 

Gard.  {Aside)  Great  heavens!  Here's  a  pretty  mess 
— give  him  up  and  what  a  scandal  for  the  family!  Hon- 
oured guest,  engaged  to  the  niece.  And  for  him  penal 
servitude  for  life,  perhaps. 

Ryan.  (Note-hook  in  hand — aside)  What's  all  this? 
Looks  as  if  he  knows  something.  I'm  waiting  for  your 
description. 

Gard.     I'm  trying  to  remember  something  remarkable 

about  the  man.     The  only  thing  I  can  think  of  was 

(r.  of  Ryan.) 

Ryan.     (Eagerly)     Yes. 

Gard.     He  wore  a  mask.     (Sits  r.  c.) 

Ryan.  Oh!  That's  not  valuable.  He  probably  doesn't 
wear  it  over  here. 

Gard.     Here? 

Ryan.  Yes.  I  must  tell  you  I  am  acting  in  the  in- 
terests of  the  Queensland  National  Bank.  Swift,  as  you 
of  course  know,  broke  into  one  of  their  country  branches 
and  frightening  the  manager  out  of  his  wits  got  away 
with  a  large  sum. 

Gard.     Well? 

Ryan.  Swift,  after  that,  entirely  disappeared — nobody 
heard  anything  of  him.  Nobody  knew  who  he  really 
was — People  supposed  him  dead. 

Gard.     Very  likely  he  is. 

Ryan.  But  some  of  the  money  he  took  has  turned 
up. 

Gard.     Ah! 

Ryan.     In  London. 

Gard.     That  doesn  t  prove  he  is  here. 

Ryan.  No,  but  it's  a  clue,  and  I've  come  over  to  fol- 
low it.  Looking  over  the  Passenger  List  in  the  Orient 
Co.'s  office,  I  saw  your  name,  and  remembering  the  Dingo 


48  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Flat  affair,  I've  taken  the  liberty  of  hunting  you  up. 
{Rises) 

Gard.  Well,  I'm  sorry  you've  wasted  your  time.  I 
can't  help  you  in  the  least. 

Ryan.  You  can  remember  nothing  about  the  man  that 
would  be  useful  to  me.  (Puts  chair  back  and  comes 
doum  L.  c.) 

Gard.  Absolutely  nothing.  It  was  a  dark  night,  and, 
as  I  told  you,  he  wore  a  mask.     (Doton  r.) 

(Enter  Marshall  with  cellarette  l.  u.  e.) 

Ryan.  Confound  him,  he  always  did  in  business 
hours.  I'm  very  sorry  you  can't  help  me.  I  would 
willingly  pay  £500  to  anyone  who  could  help  me  to 
capture  the  fellow — But  I  have  so  little  description  of 
him  to  go  upon — only  one  or  two  things  the  Bank  man- 
ager noticed  when  he  was  being  tied  up.  (Reads  from 
note-hook)  Captain  Swift — tall — thin — a  scar  across  the 
left   arm 

Marsh.     Oh — (At  table  makes  noise  ivith  coffee  cup) 

Ryan.     Well — what's  the  matter? 

Marsh.  Nothing — only  a  slight  swimming  in  the 
head. 

Ryan.     Subject  to  that  sort  of  thing? 

Marsh.     Yes,  sir.     I  have  been,  very. 

Gard.  (To  Marshall)  You  may  go.  Stay — you  have 
finished  with  me,  Mr.  Ryan? 

Ryan.  Yes.  And  sorry  to  have  troubled  you  for  noth- 
ing. 

Gard.  (To  Marshall)  You  may  show  the  gentleman 
out.     (To  Ryan)     Good  evening. 

Ryan.     (Going)     Good  evening! 

Gard.  I  hope  you  will  let  us  know  how  you  pro- 
ceed. 

Ryan.     I  will  make  a  point  of  it. 

Gard.     I  must  see  Wilding  and  warn  him. 

(Gardiner  goes  up,  Ryan  to  l.  c,  Marshall  drops  down 
on  his  l.) 

Marsh.  (Going  with  Ryan — aside)  Give  me  your 
address  in  town? 

Ryan.     What  for? 

Marsh.  I  want  to  speak  to  you  about — a  friend  of 
mine  in  Queensland. 

Ryan.  There.  (Hands  card,  crosses  in  front  of  Mar- 
shall) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  49 

(Enter  Wilding  l.   1  e. — he  and  Ryan  'pause  and  look 
at  each  other.     Wilding  passes  on  to  e.  c.) 

Ryan.     (To  Marshall)     Who's  that? 
-  Marsh.     A  great  man,  that;    I'll  tell  you  when  I  see 
you  in  town. 

(Exeunt  toth  l.   1  e) 

(Gardiner  comes  down.) 

Wild.     Well,  Gardiner — you  haven't  congratulated  me. 

Gard.  No;  the  fact  is,  my  mind  has  been  occupied 
with  other  things. 

Wild.     Yes. 

Gard.     Particularly    with    Captain    Swift. 

Wild.  The  time  has  come,  Gardiner,  when  I  must 
ask  you  for  an  explanation  on  that  subject. 

Gard.     An  explanation? 

Wild.  Yes.  You  never  hold  a  minute's  conversation 
with  me  without  referring  to  Captain  Swift.  It  can't 
be  accident — it  must  be  design.  I  want  to  know  your 
object. 

Gard.     Really,  my  dear  Wilding 

Wild.     Is  it  that  you  think  I  know  something  of  the 
man,  or  had  some  connection  with  him?    Is  your  object 
to  insult  me,  to  annoy  me,  or  to  bore  me?    (Sits  r.   of  ■ 
B.  table.) 

Gard.     Neither,  I  assure  you.     (Sits  l.  of  r.  table) 

Wild.     Then  let  us  drop  the  subject  for  good. 

Gard.  I  wish  I  could — but  I  can't.  Swift's  on  my 
mind,  and  I  can't  get  him  off. 

(Wilding   drinks.) 

Wild.     The  man's  dead! 

Gakd.     You're  mistaken. 

Wild.  I  tell  you  he's  dead.  Let's  drink  to  his  mem- 
ory. 

Gard.  But  he's  very  much  alive.  He  is  no  more  dead 
than  you  are.  Had  you,  yourself  seen  him  die  I  should 
say  you  were  mistaken.  If  you  were  to  tell  me  that  the 
man,  Marshall,  whom  you  saw  die  of  thirst  in  Queens- 
land, was  none  ctlier  than  Captain  Swift 

Wild.     Gardiner! 

Gard.     Well?     (Pause) 

Wild.  Ha!  Ha!  Y/hat  a  splendid  imagination!  You 
are    wasted    in    the    bush,    my    friend — (drinks)     You 


50  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

should  remain  in  London  and  write  novels.     (Rises  c.) 

Gai;d.  I  was  going  to  say  that  if  you  told  me  that — 
I  should  still  say  you  were  mistaken.  I  should  say  that 
if  anyone  died  of  thirst  up  Queensland  it  was  not  Mar- 
shall or  Swift,  not  the  man  who — appropriated  my  black- 
horse — not  the  man  who  once  held  a  pistol  to  my  head. 

Wild.  (Aside)  What  a  damned  fool  he  was  not  to 
shoot. 

Gard.  No;  for  Swift  certainly  escaped  the  country 
and  came  to  England. 

Wild.  (Aside)  To  England  (Rises  and  crosses  c.) 
He  can't  frighten  me  now — (Aloud)  Your  theory  is  in- 
genious, but  a  little  wild.  Why  should  he  come  to  Eng- 
land of  all  places? 

Gard.  Because  being  an  uncommon  man  he  would 
adopt  an  uncom-mon  course.  He  might  conceive  the  idea 
of  hiding  a  desperate  past  in  English  society.  He 
might  even  think  of  still  further  cloaking  his  early 
career  by  marrying  into  a  good  family. 

Wild.  (Crossing  to  Gard.)  Splendid!  An  admirable 
plot — worthy  of  Dumas.  And  would  our  adventurer  suc- 
ceed in  your  charming  story? 

Gard.      (Rising)     No! 

Wild.     No? 

Gard.     No,  he  would  fail  in  the  end. 

Wild.  He  would  fail.  There  would  be,  I  suppose, 
some  highly  virtuous  but  equally  clever  and  intrepid 
person  who  would  outwit  and  expose  him?* 

Gard.  No,  quite  unnecessary.  Ordinary  circum- 
stances will  do  for  Swift.  The  persistency  of  a  robbed 
banking  establishment,  and  the  investigations  of  an  in- 
dustrious detective  will  suffice. 

Wild.     That  is  satisfactory  to  know. 

Gard.  (Folloivs  Wild,  l.)  The  adventurer  generally 
brings  about  his  own  fate,  Wilding.  There  is  always  one 
last  grand  chance — one  big  effort — one  great  wave  of 
luck  that  v/ill  land  him  high  and  dry.  So  he  swims 
into  the  wave  and  it  bears  him  off  towards  the  shore. 
He's  full  of  hope  and  delight  as  he  gets  nearer  and 
nearer,  and  he  never  sees  the  fatal  rocks  beneath  the 
water  until  he's  dashed  against  them,  and  down  he  goes, 
poor  devil,  for  good. 

Wild.  What  an  entertaining  companion  you  are,  old 
fellow. 

Gard.  And  that  will  be  Swift's  fate  if  he  won't  be 
warned.     The  detective  who  was  here  just  now 

(Wilding  starts.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  51 

Gard.  a  fact,  I  assure  you.  The  man  who  just  left 
is  a  Queensland  detective,  come  over  after  Swift. 

Wild.     (Aside)     Liar! 

Gard.  And  he  will  certainly  get  him  if  he  remains 
in  England.  He  came  to  see  if  I  could  give  him  any  in- 
formation. 

Wild,     And  you  gave  him ? 

Gard.  I  gave  him  no  information.  Indeed,  if  I  could 
see  Swift  I  would  warn  him. 

Wild.     (Rises)     Why?     (Looking   up) 

Gard.  Why?  Because  I  think  he  has  good  stuff  in 
him,  and  because  he  resisted  two  thousand  pounds'  worth 
of  temptation  to  shoot  me.  I  wish  he  could  know  that 
I  am  the  best  friend  he  has. 

(Wilding  pauses,  then  tvalks  away  to  l.  c.     Bus.    Gardi- 
ner shrugs  his  shoulders  and  crosses  r.) 

(Enter  Mrs.  Seacrook  c.  from  l,) 

Gard,     (Aside)     He  won't  trust  me. 

Mrs.  S.     Mr,  Wilding,  I  must  speak  to  you  alone. 

(Gardiner  exits.) 

Mrs.  S.  (c.)  There!  We  are  alone.  It  was  neces- 
sary. 

Wild,  (l.  c.)  How  pale  you  are!  Your  hand  trem- 
bles.   Why? 

Mrs.  S.     You  guess  why  I  must  speak  to  you? 

Wild.  I  am  delighted — but  no — I  cannot  guess.  Un- 
less the  necessity  arise  out  of  my  engagement  to  Stella. 

Mrs.  S.  Your  proposal  to  my  niece.  There  can  be 
no  engagement. 

Wild.     No  engagement? 

Mrs.  S.  No.  Such  a  marriage  is  impossible. 
{Crosses  r.  c.) 

Wild.  Impossible,  why?  (Takes  a  step  to  r.  c.)  Is 
it  Mr.  Seabrook  who  objects? 

Mrs.  S.     No. 

WiLD^.     Who  then? 

Mrs.  S.     It  is  I. 

Wild.     You? 

Mrs.  S.  Yes,  I.  (Up  c.  again)  And  I  have  come  to 
you  now  to  ask  of  your  great  generosity — I  know — I  am 
sure,  you  are  capable  of  it.  Never  did  a  woman  need 
it  more  than  I.  I  ask  you  to  believe  me  when  1  say  that 
I  would  far  rather  die  to-night  than  that  this  marriage 
should  take  place. 


52  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Wild.  You  have  been  very  kind  to  me,  but  you  ask 
in  return  more  than  I  can  give. 

(Music.) 

Mrs.  S.  Don't  say  that — please  don't  say  that!  (Im- 
ploringly to  him) 

Wild.  I  must — if  you  asked  me  to  risk  my  life  for 
you  I  would  willingly  do  it.  But  this — is  more  than  my 
life  to  me — my  first,  ray  only  chance  of  happiness.  It  is 
the  first  time  in  my  lonely  life  that  the  clouds  have 
opened  and  a  ray  of  sunshine  has  come  through — a 
promise  of  something  different — something  good.  I  love 
Stella — it  is  the  first  time  I  have  loved.  She  loves  me — 
it  is  the  first  time  I  have  been  loved. 

(Mrs.  S.  turns  to  him.) 

I  tell  you  I  cannot  give  her  up.  (Aside)  I  dare  not. 
(Crosses  r.) 

(Music  stops.) 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside)  Every  word  is  a  knife  to  me.  .  » 
Come,  sit  down,  let  us  talk  quietly,  reasonably.  (Sinks 
on  seat  l.) 

Wild.  (Brings  chair  fortvard  and  sits  l.  c.)  Will- 
ingly.    But  you  are  agitated. 

Mrs.  S.  It  is  nothing.  There,  you  see — I  am  perfectly 
calm.  Your  life  has  not  been  happy.  My  poor  boy! 
Well,  we  may  try  and  repair  that! 

Wild.     Strange!     Very  strange! 

Mrs.  S.  I  suppose  the  life  of  a  child — brought  up 
among  strangers  can't  be  very  happy.  Were  they  kind 
to  you? 

Wild.     V/hy  do  you  talk  like  this  to  me? 

Mrs.  S.  Because  you  arer  unhappy.  Tell  me — of  your 
mother?  You  have  thought  of  her  sometimes  and — per- 
haps not  unkindly?     (Touching  his  hand) 

Wild.  This  is  cruel!  You  must  know,  Mrs.  Seabrook, 
that  the  subject  is  most  painful  to  me.  I  cannot  speak 
of  her.     (Rises,  crosses  c,  going  up  c.) 

Mrs.  S.  Stay!  (Rises.  I  don't  wish  to  be  cruel  to 
you — but  all  this  concerns  your  proposal  to  my  niece. 

(ViLD.     How?     (Comes  hack  a  step.) 

Mrs.  S.     Let  me  have  time — I  will  tell  you. 

{She  is  much  agitated  and  looks  round  to  see  that  they 
are  alone.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  53 

I  knew  your  mother. 

Wild.     You  knew  my  mother?     {Doxon  r.  c.) 

Mrs.  S.    Yes.    I  will  tell  you  her  story. 

{Music.) 

Wild.     She  knew   my   mother. 

(Mrs.  S.  goes  up  stage,  looks  round  and  hack  to  c.) 

Mrs.  S.  She  was  only  a  girl — and — and  well — she 
would  have  been  your  father's  wife,  but  he  died — too 
soon. 

Wild.     He  died  too  soon.     I  understand 

Mrs.  S.  She  would  have  been  disgraced — ruined — but 
for  a  friend — a  sister — who  took  her  away — so  that  no 
one  should  know 

Wild.  (His  back  turned  to  her)  So  that  no  one 
should  know.     Go  on! 

Mrs.  S.  Then  when  the  child  was  born  it  was  given 
to  strangers  to  bring  us — she  herself  did  not  know  to 
whom,  and  it  was  provided  for  secretly. 

Wild.  I  know  what  became  of  the  child.  And  the 
mother?      (Turns  his  face  to  her) 

Mrs.  S.     You  must  forgive  her. 

Wild.     She  lives? 

Mrs.  S.  Yes.  And  married  a  good  man  who  loved  her, 
and  who  never  knew  the  truth.  If  he  learned  it  now  it 
would  kill  him. 

{Takes  stage,  a  little  to  l.) 

Wjld.    Where  is  she?     (Follows  her) 

Mrs.  S.     You  will  forgive  her?     (Turns  to  Mm) 

Wild.    Where  is  she? 

(Warning  for  Curtain.) 

Mrs.  S.     If  you  marry  Stella  the  truth  must  appear. 
Wild.     Tell  me  where  she  is. 

(Mrs.     S. — pause — duml)     'business — finish     kneeling — 
(Music  stops.) 

Wild.     My  mother! 

Mrs.  S.  (On  her  knees)  Ah,  you  hate  me— you  de- 
spise me — you  cannot  forgive  me.  This  is  my  punish- 
ment— I  deserve  it.     I  launched  you  into  the  world  a 


54  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

waif — I  denied  you  a  mother's  care.  I  disowned  you— 
I  put  myself  first  in  everything  and  now,  when  I  claim 
you  at  last  it  is  to  ask  a  sacrifice  from  you.  I  am  selfish 
to  the  end.     Don't  spare  me. 

Wild.     {Aside)     Too  late! 

Mrs.  S.  You  have  reason  to  hate  your  mother!  Now 
is  your  time  for  vengeance. 

Wild.  (Lifts  her  up)  How  could  I  hate  you?  You 
have  been  kind  to  me  . 

[rs.  S.     If  you  marry  Stella  my  husband  must  learn 
the  truth. 

Wild.  I  have  told  you  I  love  her — I  have  no  right  to 
love. 

Mrs.  S.  My  son — speak  kindly  to  me— one  word,  only 
one  word. 

Wild.     You  did  not  teach  me  how.     {Crosses  to  l.) 

Mrs.  S.  Heaven  help  me!  {Goes  up  c.)  It  is  just — 
it  is  just! 

{Exit  Mrs.  S.  slowly  c.  r.) 

Wild.  {Adout  to  follow  her)  Mother — my  mother — 
my  mother!  I  am  alone  again — alone  again.  Well,  what 
am  I  to  do  now?  Remain  here  and  marry  Stella,  why 
not?  This  discovery  makes  my  position  all  the  more 
secure.  What  do  I  owe  to  my  mother! — She — she — the 
air  of  this  place  is  stifling  me. 

{Song.) 

I  cannot  think.  Better  act  without  thinking.  Better 
for  whom?  {Rings  hell)  Better  for  Stella.  I  began  by 
trying  to  make  her  love  me — I  have  ended  by  loving 
her — Strange!      {Goes  to  writing  table  and  writes.). 

{ Enter  Bates  u.  e.  l.  ) 

Bates.     Did  you  ring,  sir? 

Wild.  I  am  obliged  to  go  up  to  town  to-night;  is  there 
a  train  I  can  catch? 

Bates.  The  10:30's  passed,  sir — but  there's  one  at 
11:12. 

Wild.  Then  tell  my  servant  to  pack  pay  portmanteau 
at  once.  And  follow  me  to  town  by  the  first  train  in  the 
morning.  Don't  mention  it  to  anyone.  I  don't  wish  to 
disturb  the  family.  You  understand?  And  just  bring 
my  hat  and  coat! 

{Exit  Bates  u.  e.  l.) 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  55 

Wild.  (Having  silently  read  ichat  he  has  written — 
with  the  letter  in  his  hands  with  action  conveying  that 
he  is  uncertain  whether  to  destroy  it  or  not)  Have  I 
done  right?    No — let  it  go. 

(Re-enter  Bates  with  hat  and  coat.     He  helps  Wild- 
ing on  with  coat) 

Wild.  (To  Bates)  Take  this  letter  to — I  want  you 
to  give  this  letter  to  Mr.  Seabrook  when  I  have  gone. 

(Enter  Gardiner  c.  from  l.) 

Gard.     (Coming  down  c.)     Are  you  going,  Wilding? 
Wild.     Yes.     I'm   called  to  town  on  important  busi- 
ness^——(/Sis' ws  Bates  off) 

(Exit  Bates  l.  u.  e.) 

(Handing  letter  to  Gardiner)  Perhaps  you  wouldn't 
mind  giving  this  letter  to  Mr.  Seabrook. 

Gard.  Not  at  all.  (Takes  letter — crosses  r.)  I'm 
sorry  you're  obliged  to  go,  old  fellow,  but — by  the  way, 
let  me  give  you  my  London  address?  (Takes  out  card 
case)  Here  is  my  card  if  I  can  be  of  any  service  to  yoii 
at  any  time.  (Offers  card  under  lamp)  One  never 
knows — you  understand  ? 

Wild.  (Asfter  slight  hesitation)  I  understand— I've 
had  a^ood  time  here,  Gardiner — good-bye! 

(Exit  c.  to  L.) 

(Song  ceases.) 

Gard.  (Looking  after  him)  Poor  devil!  I  wonder 
what  lie  he's  told  now.     (Tapping  the  letter) 

(Enter  Seabrook  crosses  up  r.) 

Mr.  S.  Wilding!  Wilding!  Oh,  it's  you,  Gardiner! 
That  fellow  Wilding,  it  seems  has  been  talking  to  my 
wife  for  some  time.  They've  had  quite  a  scene,  and  now 
she  is  in  a  highly  nervous  state.  She  refuses  to  tell  me 
what  it's  all  about. 

i^nter  Stella  c.  from  l.,  down  l.) 

Where  is  Wilding,  Stella,  do  you  know? 


56  CAPTAIN  SWIFT.^> 


Stella 

.     No. 

Gard. 

Mr. 

Wilding  has 

gone? 

Mr.   S. 

) 

& 

) 

Gone  I 

Stella. 

) 

Gard. 

Yes. 

,  (Enter  Mrs.  S.  c.  from  l.) 

Mrs.  S.     What  has  happened  ? 

Stella.     Mr.  Wilding  has  gone? 

Mrs.  S.     Gone! 

Gard.  (To  Mr.  S.)  He  asked  me  to  give  you  this 
letter!      (Hands  letter  to  Mr.  S.) 

Mr.  S.     This  may  explain  what  has  happened. 

Mrs.  S.  That  letter — (To  Seabrook.  who  has  opened 
the  letter)  James,  let  me  read  it  for  you? 

Mr.  S.     No,  thank  you,  I  can  see  quite  well. 
(Music.     Mrs.  S.  stands  as  if  frozen  to  stone.) 

(Reads)  Dear  Mr.  Seabrook — you  will  naturally  ex- 
pect some  explanation  of  my  sudden  departure  from  your 
house  in  which  I  have  received  so  much  kindness.  I 
had  the  audacity  to  propose  for  your  niece's  hand — but 
Mrs.  Seabrook  has  told  me 

Mrs.  S.  (Goes  up  c,  agitated)  Oh,  my  God — he  has 
told  him!     James! 

Mr.  S.  (Reads)  But  Mrs.  Seabrook  has  told  me — 
that  which  I  should  have  known  before  I  made  the  pro- 
posal— that — that — I  am  unworthy  to  marry  your  niece. 

Mrs.  S.     Thank  heaven!      (With  a  sigh  of  relief) 

(Movement.) 


ACT  IV. 

Scene — Gardiner's  chambers . 

(Gardiner  and  Harry  discovered.) 

Gard.  (r.  of  taUe  l.)  You're  not  a  very  cheerful 
visitor  this  evening,  old  fellow.  What's  wrong  with 
you? 

Harry,  (l.  of  taUe  l.)  Oh,  I'm  all  right.  Only  it 
was  a  little  dull  at  Fernshawe  Park  after  you  left.  I 
had  a  week  of  "  the  blues  "  and  as  we  only  returned  to 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  57 

town  this  morning  perhaps  I've  not  quite  recovered  yet. 

Gar.  a  lame  excuse,  my  boy.  The  fact  is  there's 
something  on  your  mind. 

Harey.     Nonsense. 

Gar.  Come,  now,  why  don't  you  be  frank  with  me. 
You.  know  I'm  to  be  your  brother  before  long. 

Harry.  Yes.  I  know  the  governor's  consented  and 
all  that  sore  of  thing.  Oh,  by  the  by,  I've  a  note  for 
you  somewhere  from  Mabel.     (Searching  his  pockets) 

Gar.  (Starting  up)  Oh,  you  have!  Then  why  the 
devil  didn't  you  give  it  to  me  before? 

Harry     (Still  searching  pockets)     Didn't  think  of  it. 

Gar.     If  you've  lost  it  you  won't  leave  this  room  alive. 

Harry.  I  wouldn't  mind  that  much.  Here  it  is. 
(Goes  up  L.,  crosses  to  window  e.) 

(Gar.  takes  letter  and  comes  down.) 

(Aside)     Happy  devil! 

Gar.  (Opening  letter,  aside)  The  little  English 
flower  I'm  going  to  transplant  to  the  bush.  (Reads) 
''My  dear  George" — (Looks  up)  My  dear  George 
— I've  often  been  addressed  "  My  dear  George  " — yet 
I've  never  valued  the  circumstance  before.  "  I  am  so 
glad  to  get  back  to  London.  I've  been  wanting  to  return 
ever  since  you  left  Fernshawe.  I  hope  you  will  call  in 
the  morning."  I  v/ill.  "  Papa  is  very  serious — but  I 
think  he's  getting  reconciled  since  he  gave  his  consent. 
As  for  naming  the  day  as  you  suggest,  it's  quite  im- 
possible. I  couldn't  think  of  leaving  dear  Papa  and 
Mamma,  and  however  much  you  press  for  an  early  day 
I  couldn't  have  my  frocks  ready  before  the  end  of  this 
month.  Your  very  affectionate  Mabel.  P.  S.  Papa 
kissed  me  just  now  and  said  you  were  a  cruel  man. 
N.  B.  I  thing  Papa  likes  you."  Dear  old  Papa!  Harry, 
old  fellow,  I'll  be  your  brother  sooner  than  I  honed  to 
be. 

Harry.     (Indifferently)     That's    all     right,     (crosses 

Gar.  You  don't  seem  to  welcome  the  prospect  very 
heartily. 

Harry.     Yes,  indeed  I  do — only 

Gar.  Oh!  I  see!  You  can't  be  enthusiastic  because 
your  own  love  affairs  haven't  gone  quite  smoothly. 

Harry.  I  suppose  you  are  right  as  usual.  I'm  a 
selfish  beggar  you  see. 

Gar.  All  men  in  love  are  serflsh.  Come,  now,  tell  iuq 
tb§  trouljle, 


5S  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Habry.    That  man—Wilding  is  on  my  mind  still. 

Gar.     (Aside)     And  on  mine  too. 

Harry.  You  see  Stella  was  quite  fascinated  by  him. 
He's  a  dangerous  fellow.  Why,  even  my  mother — who 
never  cares  for  anyone — out  of  her  own  iamily — seemed 
to  like  him  and  was  upset  when  he  left.  I'd  give  a  good 
deal  to  know  that  he  was  safe  out  of  the  T/ay. 

Gar.     {Aside)     So  would  I. 

Harry.  I'm  so  afraid  Stella  wil  not  be  able  to  forget 
him. 

Gar.    And  you  want  her  to  forget? 

Harry.  Well,  of  course  I  do — because — I  want  her 
to  be  happy  again. 

Gar.     No  other  reason,  old  fellow? 

Harry.  Yes — I  don't  mind  your  knowing,  and  I'm  not 
ashamed  of  it — because  I  love  her  more  than  ever. 
There!     I'm  making  a  fool  of  myself.     (Goes  l.  c.) 

Gar.  I  like  such  fools!  And  you're  not  without 
hope? 

Harry.  I  don't  encourage  hope.,  I  try  not  to  think 
of  it.     But  I'm  strong  enough  to  wait. 

Gar.     Good.     I  like  that.     In  the  end  you'll  succeed. 

Harry.     You  think  so? 

Gar.  I'm  sure  of  it,  only  wait  and  hope. 

H.^ry.     But  this  Wilding 

Gar.     I  don't  think  he'll  trouble  you  again. 

Harry.     But  tell  me  about  him.     Who  is  he? 

Gar.     I'd  rather  not  talk  about  him. 

Harry.     Because  in  your  heart  you  like  him. 

Gar.  Well  there  may  be  some  truth  in  that.  At 
least  I  pity  him.    Let's  talk  of  something  else.     (Goes 

B.) 

^arry.  (c.)  All  right,  if  you  wish  it.  {Crosses  to 
mantelpiece  l.)     But  I'd  like  to  know. 

{Enter  Sebv.  l.) 

Serv.    Mr.  Ryan (Gardiner  crosses  and  sit  r.) 

{Enter  Ryan  and  Marshall  l.) 

(Ryan  puts  hat  on  talle  up  b.) 

{Exit  Servant  l.) 

Gar.    Ryan!  ,  ,  .      x,  ^ 

Ryan.  You'll  forgive  the  intrusion  I  hope,  sir,  but 
J  must  see  you. 


CAt^TAiN  SWIFT.  5D 

GrAB.     On  what  business? 

Ryan.  On  the  business  of  Wilding — alias  "  Captain 
Swift." 

Hakry.     Wilding — Captain  Swift. 

Mar.  Yes,  sir.  The  fine  gentleman  you  entertained 
at  your  house,  and  on  whose  account  I  was  discharged 
was  Captain  Swift;  the  bushranger — a  common  colonial 
criminal! 

Harry.     Good  God!     And  do  my  people  know  this? 

Ryan.  Your  father  knows,  for  we've  just  seen  him 
at  your  house  where  we  went  to  make  enquiries.  (Up 
stage  to  window  r.) 

(Gard.  to  c.) 

Mar.  Miss  Darbisher  was  with  him  and  heard  the 
good  news  at  the  same  time. 

Harry.  Gardiner  (Crosses  c.  to  Gar.)  I  must  go 
home.  This  will  have  upset  them  all  at  home  terribly. 
(Going  up  l.  c.) 

Mar.  You  see,  sir,  I  was  right.  I  haven't  got  it  on 
my  conscience  that  I  didn't  warn  you. 

Harry.     Kindly  let  me  pass. 

Mar.  Certainly,  sir.  (Steps  back,  Harry  crosses 
him)  But  in  the  best  families  they  don't  invite  common 
adventurers 

Harry.  (At  door  l.)  If  you  ever  dare  address  me 
again  I'll  beat  you  to  a  jelly. 

(Exit  L.) 

Mar.     (Aside)     Cub! 

Gar.  (r.  c.  Looking  at  his  ivatch)  I  can  spare 
you  just  one  minute  and  a  half,  Mr.  Ryan. 

Ryan.  (l.  of  Gardiner)  Thank  you.  I'll  try  and 
make  that  do.  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  this  man 
Wilding  looks  upon  you  as  a  friend. 

Gar.     I'm  sure  I  don't  know  how  he  looks  upon  me. 

Mar.  (Downi..)  You  were  always  very  friendly  with 
him  at  Fernshawe. 

Gar.     Why  is  this  man  with  you? 

Ryan.     He's  given  me  important  assistance. 

Mar.  I  have  a  substantial  interest  in  the  capture  of 
Wilding. 

Gar.  That  is  not  a  sufficient  reason  for  your  ob- 
noxious presence  here. 

Mar.  Excuse  me,  sir,  but  I'm  here  because  I'm  help- 
ing to  hunt  down  the  m.an  I  hate — and  I  mean  to  hunt 
liim  till  I  see  him  in  irons. 


60  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gard.     (Sitt'mg)    Go! 

Ryax.  {Crosses  to  Marshall.  Aside)  Yes,  go— 
and  wait  for  me  aownstairs. 

Mar.  Excuse  me  (Pushes  Ryan  aside,  ivho  goes  up 
sage.  Marshall  crosses  to  Gardiner)  I'm  not  your 
servant  and  I  decline  to  tal^e  your  orders. 

Gar.     {Rising)    Go! 

Mar.  {Cotved,  makes  for  the  door — business — aside) 
Certainly  sir.     Colonial  upstart! 

{Exit  Mar.  l.) 

Gar.      {Sitting)    Now,  Mr.  Ryan. 

Ryan.  (l.  of  Gardiner)  I've  come  to  see  if  you  can 
give  me  any  information  as  to  the  whereabouts  of  this 
man. 

Gar.     How  do  you  know  that  Wilding  is  Swift? 

Ryan.  From  information  received  from  the  servant 
Marshall.  Marshall  came  to  town  from  Fernshawe  by 
thj  same  train,  but  Wilding  slipped  him.  However,  I 
have  reasons  for  knowing  that  he's  still  in  London,  and  I 
mean  to  have  him.  Has  he  been  to  see  you?  {Pocket 
hook  in  hand) 

Gar.     He  has  not. 

Ryan.    Excuse  me — has  he  written  to  you? 

Gar.     No. 

Ryan.     Have  you  written  to  him? 

Gar.     No. 

Ryan.     Do  you  know  where  he  is? 

Gar.     No. 

Ryan.  Do  you  know  anyone  who  is  in  communication 
with  him? 

Gar.     No. 

Ryan.  {Close  pocket  hook  and  takes  stage  to  l.) 
Thank  you  sir — that  will  do. 

Gar.     Do  you  care  for  my  opinion? 

Ryan,     (c.)     Yes,  certainly. 

Gar.  It  is  that  Wilding  has  got  far  away  from  Eng- 
land by  this  time. 

Ryan.     I  don't  think  he  could. 

Gar.     He  got  away  from  Australia. 

Ryan.  True.  Do  you  think  he's  likely  to  pay  you  a 
visit  here? 

Gar.     'Pon  my  word  I've  not  thought  about  it  at  all. 

Ryan.  Did  you  invite  him  to  do  so  before  you  left 
Fernshawe? 

Gar.  {Crosses  to  l.)  Really,  Mr.  Ryan,  I  think 
you're  presuming  a  little  too  much  on  my  good  nature. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFI?.  jBl 

Ryan.  (r.  Aside)  Ah,  he  did.  I  must  watch, 
(c.)     If  he  comes  to  you  will  you  kindly  let  me  know? 

Gab.  I  will.  (Ryan  goes  up  r.,  takes  hat  and  crosses 
L.  to  door.  Aside)  A  month  or  two  later.  Good 
evening. 

Ryan.    Good  evening,  sir,  and  thank  you. 

(Exit  L.) 
Gar.  For  nothing.  I'm  afraid  that  poor  fellow's  lost. 
Ryan  wouldn't  believe  him  to  be  in  London  without 
good  reason.  Why  hasn't  he  got  away?  He's  clever 
enough  to  have  escaped  a  dozen  Ryans  if  he  exerted 
himself.  A  little  of  my  money — which  he's  welcome  to^ 
poor  devil,  whenever  he  likes — and  a  little  of  his  own 
cleverness  and  he  might  be  safe  away  in  no  time.  But 
I'm  afraid  he  won't  exert  himself.  When  he  left  Fern- 
shawe  that  night  just  a  week  ago  he  seemed  utterly 
changed.  All  the  old  dare-devilry  had  vanished.  I 
think  he  must  have  really  loved  Stella  after  all.  (Sits 
r.  of  taJ)le)     It's  a  wonderful  thing — this  love 

(Takes  up  Mabel's  letter  caressingly.} 

A  wonderful  thing.     My  dear  George — (Crosses  r.) 

(Enter  Seabhook  and  Stella,  l.,  shown  in  dy  Ser.) 

Mr.  S.     Gardiner! 

Gar.  Mr.  Seabrook!  (Meet  up  c. — Mr.  S.  crosses 
down  L.)    How  do  you  do,  Miss  Darbisher. 

(They  shake  hands.) 

How  good  of  you  to  look  me  up  in  my  den. 

(Gardiner  r.,  Stella  l.  c,  Mr.   Seabrook  sits  l.   of  l. 
table.) 

Mr.  S.  Not  good  of  us  at  all,  I  assure  you.  We've 
come  in  search  of  assistance. 

Stella.  Oh,  Mr.  Gardiner,  you  will  help  me,  won't 
you? 

Gar.     Try  me. 

Stella.     I  want  to  saVe  someone  who — who — you  un- 
derstand— was  once  a  friend. 
•-  :  Gar.     (Aside)     Whew!     She  knows. 

Stella.  (Advances  to  Gard.)  Someone  whom  I — I 
cared  for— once  until  I  knew  that— until  I  knew—-^- 


02  c^i^TAiN  switrr. 

Gar.     I  understand. 

Stella.  That's  all  over  now.  But  because  I  cared  for 
him  once  I  want  to  help  him.  He's  in  trouble — in  dan- 
ger perhaps — on  account  of  his  past  life.  I  want  him 
to  escape  the  danger.  Think  how  dreadful  it  would 
be  for  me — for  us  all  who  have  known  him  and 
liked  hun  to  know  that  he  is  suffering  a  great  punish- 
ment, xfile  told  me  his  life  had  been  unhappy — I  think 
he  has  not  had  the  advantages  we  have  had,  and  per- 
haps his  temptations  to  sin  have  been  greater. 
tiiAS..  I  think -they  have.  (Knock  ready) 
/^H^LA.  It  is  said  money  can  accomplish  anything. 
I  am  rich.  Let  my  money  buy  his  liberty  and  open  up 
a  new  and  better  life  for  him.     Can  you  do  this?!-.--' 

Mr.  S.  Stella  dear,  let  me  talk  this  over  for  a  few 
minutes  with  Gardiner! 

Stella.  Yes.  Try  and  arrange  some  plan  for  me. 
Can  you  do  this?  {To  Gakdiner)  Shall  I  wait  here? 
{Pointing  up) 

Gab.  Certainly.  {Goes  up  with  Stella)  In  tliis 
room. 

Stella.     I  rely  upon  you. 

{Exit  Stella  c.) 
(Gabdi.nee  comes  down.) 

Mr.  S.  {Sits  L.  c.)  Gardiner,  Gardiner  this  is  an  ex- 
cessively painful  business.  At  the  same  time  my  niece — 
who  is  apt  to  let  her  big  heart  run  away  with  her — 
must  not  be  permitted  to  compromise  herself  in  her 
anxiety  to  do  a  good  action.  Pray  convince  Stella  how 
utterly  unworthy  Wilding  is. 

Gar.  {Aside)  H'm — a  pleasant  task  for  me!  I'll 
do  my  best. 

Mr.  S.  Thank  you.  One  thing  more.  My  wife  is 
still  ignorant  of  Wilding's  identity  with  Captain  Swift. 
I  wish  to  guard  her  from  the  knowledge.  For  some 
time  her  nervous  condition  has  given  me  considerable 
anxiety.  Pray  help  me  to  conceal  this  exposure  from 
her. 

Gar.     Certainly  I  will.     But  stay!] 

Mr.   S.     Well? 

Gar.    The  detectives  have  been  here. 

Mr.  S.     Well? 

Gar.  Harry  was  here  at  the  time  and  learned  the 
truth.     He  left  for  home  immediately. 

Mr.  S.    Good  Heavens!     If  he  sees  his  mother  he  will 


GAPTAiN  swirr.  ^ 

tell  her.  He's  so  impetuous.  I  must  return  at  once. 
Fortunately  I've  my  brougham  at  the  door.  I'll  come 
back  for  Stella.  In  the  meantime  persuade  her  to  leave 
everything  connected  with  poor  Wilding  entirely  to  us. 

(Exit  Me.  S.  u.  e.  l.) 

Gar.  (Crosses  to  centre  opening  then  comes  cloton 
c.)  Here's  a  nice  business.  I'm  to  persuade  that  gen- 
erous impulsive  girl  of  the  unworthiness  of  the  man  she 
still  seems  to  love.  Hang  it,  I  don't  feel  old  enough 
for  the  task.  {Takes  stage  to  r.)  I'd  rather  meet  Cap- 
tain Swift  again  on  Dingo  Flat  than  face  that  warm- 
hearted girl  in  the  next  room.  I  might  have  some  or- 
iginal remark  for  Swift  but  for  her.  However,  I  must  do 
it.  {Goes  up)  I  suppose  when  a  man  is  going  to 
marry  into  a  family  he  must  accept  his  share  of  the 
family  responsibilities. 

{Exit  c.) 
{Knocli..) 
{Enter  Wild.)  / 

Wild.  Gardiner!  Not  here.  I'll  wait.  {Looking 
through  windoio.  Pulls  curtain  quickly)  That  was  a 
narrow  escape  {Then  crosses  to  table  l.)  Brandy! 
Gardiner  won't  mind  my  helping  myself.  (Drinks)  He 
seems  pretty  comfortable  here.  He's  a  happy  man — rich 
— no  great  sins  on  his  heart — going  to  marry  the  girl 
he  loves,  altogether  comfortable — and  highly  respecta- 
ble. That's  the  essential  thing  to  happiness — respecta- 
bility. I  tasted  it  onc-^  for  a  week — I  lived  in  it — it 
breathed  around  me — I  worshipped  at  its  shrine.  But 
I  was  never  of  it.  I  was  mad  to  come  over  here.  Bet- 
ter to  endure  hunger  than  smell  the  steam  of  the  cook 
(b.)  shop;  better  to  have  died  in  the  bush  than  to  have 
seen  that  girl — to  have  known  that  home — to  have  learnt 
that  I  have  a  mother.  A  little  more  brandy  with  the 
kind  permission  of  respectability. 

(Enter  Gar.  c.) 

Gar.     (Aside)     I  thought  I  heard (Gomes  down) 

Wilding! 

Wild.  Gardiner!  I'm  a  robber  to  the  last,  you  see. 
But  you  forgave  me  the  black  horse,  so  perhaps  you'll 
forgive  me  the  brandy. 


04  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gar.    Nonsense.     (Offers  liis  hand) 

Wild.     You  wish  to  shake  hands  with  me? 

Gar.     We  shook  hands  at  Fernshawe. 

Wild.     God  bless — I  won't  bless  you — a  bushranger's 

blessing  would     be     too     droll — but — but {Finishes 

hrancly) 

Gar.  I  wanted  to  see  you.  You  know  that  Ryan  and 
Marshall  are  after  you? 

Wild.     Yes,  I  do. 

Gar.     Hush. 

Wild.     Why? 

Gar.  {Uneasily  glancing  up,  aside)  She  must  not 
know  he  is  here.     They've  been  here. 

Wild.     I  know.   {Goes  to  loindow  r.) 

Gar.     You  know? 

Wild.  Yes,  I've  been  on  their  track  {Gomes  doivn 
c.)  The  only  way  to  escape  a  detective  is  to  follow 
him.  Oh,  I've  had  a  wonderful  week.  Last  night  I 
came  to  the  end  of  my  resources.  I  hadn't  the  cheek  to 
claim  my  balance  at  the  bank — I  had  £30,000  there — I 
could  not  go  back  to  my  lodgings — I  hadn't  a  penny  in 
my  pocket — no  supper — nothing  to  drink — nothing  to 
smoke. 

(Gardiner  points  to  tahle  l.,  Wilding  goes — takes  cig- 
arette and  smokes,  then  sits  l.  c.) 

Gar.     {Aside)     Poor  devil! 

Wild.  I  wandered  about  the  streets  until  somehow 
I  found  myself  opposite  that  house. 

Gar.     What  house? 

Wild.  Her  house — I  mean  Mr.  Seabrook's  house. 
There  were  a  good  many  lights — so  I  knew  that  they  had 
come  back.  And  I  stood  there  watching  a  long  time 
until  one  by  one  the  lights  went  out,  and  ai  last  when  all 
was  dark  I  fancied  I  saw  someone  sitting  at  a  window. 

Gar.     {Looking  up  stage  for  a  moment)     Only  fancy. 

Wild.  Yes — only  fancy  perhaps.  Yet  it  made  me 
feel  less  lonely.  However,  I  haven't  come  here  to  sponge 
on  you  and  to  talk  sentiment,  but  to  ask  you  to  deliver 
two  messages  for  me.     Will  you? 

Gar.     Certainly  I  will 

Wild.  Listen.  Tell  Mrs.  Seabrook  that  all  the  events 
connected  with  my  visit  to  Fernshawe  are  sacred  to 
me.  Say  just  this — no  one  shall  ever  know.  You  un- 
derstand? 

{Music.) 

Qar,    Yes. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  65 

(Enter  Stella  c,  sees  Wilding,  business.) 

Wild.    And  tell — that  girl— Stella • 

(Pause.) 

Gar.    Well? 

Wild,  you — who  know  my  wretched  :.iast — tell  her — 
what  a  damned  scoundrel  I  am. 

(Knock  ready.) 

Gar.     I  understand. 

Wild.  No,  no,  you  don't  understand.  I  don't  want  her 
to  think — that  I  ever  really  cared  for  her 

(He  sees  Stella.     Gardiner  falls  hack  r.) 

Stella! 

(Recovers  himself — tusiness.  Stella  crosses  to  door  l., 
pauses — returns  and  offers  Wilding  her  hand.  Busi- 
ness) 

(Exit  Stella  l.) 

(Stop  music.) 

(Wilding  stands  looking  after  her.) 

Gar.    Wilding! 

Wild.     (Absorbed)     Eh! 

Gar.  You  must  rouse  yourself!  These  men  \7ill  cer- 
tainly take  you  if  you  don't  make  an  effort! 

Wild.  What  do  I  care?  I'm  going  +0  give  myself  up. 
(Crosses  l.) 

Gar.     This  is  madness. 

Wild.  No,  it's  wisdom,  believe  me.  I  was  born  for 
reflection,  not  for  action.  My  actions  have  always  been 
bad — my  reflections  have  often  been  good.  When  high 
walls  restrain  my  actions  my  reflections  will  be  exem- 
plary. 

Gar.     And  is  this  Captain  Swift? 

Wild.  No.  (Crosses  r.)  Swift  is  dead.  Something 
killed  him.  What  was  it?— you— the  home  at  Fern- 
Bhawe,  the  touch  of  a  woman's  hand. 

(Knock.) 


QQ  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Gab.     Hush,  someone  is  coming. 

Wild.  I  fear  no  one  now.  Let  them  come.  {To 
window  R.) 

(Gardiner  crosses.     Enter  Mrs.  S.  l.) 

Gab.     Mrs.  Seabrook. 

Mrs.  S.  Yes,  Mr.  Gardiner.  I  have  come  to  you  to 
learn  the  truth.  They  hide  it  from  me  at  home.  They 
cheat  me  in  kindness  but  you  will  tell  me — what  trouble 
is^Mr.  Wilding  in? 

Gar.     Mrs.  Seabrook,  it  is  impossible  for  me  to 

{She  follows  Ms  eyes  and  sees  Wilding.) 

Mrs.  S.  Ah!  he  is  here.  (Crosses  to  c.)  Let  me 
speak  with  him  alone. 

(Wilding  comes  down  r.) 

Gard.    Really  Mrs.  Seabrook!    (c.) 

.Mrs.  S.     You  understand  there  is  a  secret — (l.) 

Gard.     I  understand. 

Mrs.  S.     I  know  I  can  trust  you. 

(Pause — Gardiner  realizes.) 

Gard.  You  may — always.  (Aside)  Heaven  help 
them. 

(Exit  l.) 

(Mrs.  S.  l.  and  Wilding,  r.,  look  at  each  other) 

Wild.  You  should  not  have  come.  You  endanger 
your  secret — which  no  one  must  ever  know. 

Mrs.  S.  I  came  here  to  learn  the  truth.  Everything 
is  kept  from  me.     In  pity  tell  me  the  truth. 

Wild.     You  don't  know  then  who  I  am? 

Mrs.  S.  Except  that  you  are  my  son — no.  Why  don't 
you  speak?     (By  chair) 

Wild.  For  God's  sake  don't  compel  me  to  speak.  You 
will  learn  it  from  lips  of  others.  Leave  me — and  forget 
me. 


rs 


(Pause — Mrs.  S.  drags  him  down.) 
Mrs.  S.     Forget  you — I  am  your  mother. 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  67 

kf  Wild.  When  I  permit  myself  to  think  of  you  it  will 
be  to  remember  that  I — a  common  adventurer,  received 
kindness  at  your  hands,  {Music)  that  I  got  into  your 
house  and  went  near  to  despoiling  it. 

*'  Mrs.  S.  (r.  c.)  No,  my  son — look  rt  me.  I  am  your 
mother.  Had  I  been  a  good  mother,  you  might  hesitate 
to  tell  me  what  you  have  done.  But  I  too  have  sinned — 
and  I  too  have  suffered.  My  son — I  have  told  you  my 
sin — tell  me  yours. 

Wild.  Go  away  from  me — leave  me — (Rises)  You 
don't  know  who  I  am — you  have  others  to  love  and  care 
for — of  me  you  will  never  hear  again.  I  am  Swift — the 
felon,  the  thief. 

{Warning   for    curtain,   stand   'by    for   lights    down,   3 
knocks,  ready  pistol,  ready  to  fire.) 

Mrs.  S.  {Rises)  Oh!  God — my  son!  what  shall  I 
do?     You  are  in  danger  and  I  must  help  you. 

Wild.  Where  I  am  going  I  shall  need  no  help. 
{Crosses  l.) 

Mrs.  S.     Where  are  you  going? 

Wild.     To  the  Never  Never  Land. 

Mrs.  S.     {With  awe)     What  do  you  mean? 

Wild.     {Sits)     I  am  going  to  give  myself  up. 

Mrs.  S.  No.  no,  you  must  not  think  of  it.  Your  sins, 
whatever  they  may  be,  are  mine — the  result  of  my  sel- 
fishness— my  wickedness.  You  must  not  bear  the  pun- 
ishment alone — it  is  not  just.  You  must  escape.  Don't 
you  see  it  would  kill  me?  See,  I  beg  you  on  my  knees. 
For  the  love  of  God  save  us  both,  save  us  both!  (Mrs. 
S.  kneels  and  is  embraced  by  Wilding.) 

Wild.  (l.  c.)  Mother!  Heaven  help  me!  I  could 
have  loved  you  so. 

Mrs.  S.     My  son,  you  will  promise  me? 

Wild.     Yes,  I  promise.     I  will  not  be  taken. 

{Enter  Gar.  c.) 

Gar.     Forgive  me,  but  time  presses.     Those  men  will 
return. 
Mrs.  S.    You  will  help  him  to  escape? 

{Goes  up  to  Gardiner  r.) 

Gar.     I  will. 

,(Mbs.  S.  moves  towards  door.    Gardiner     is     looking 
through  xoindow.) 


68  CAPTAIN  SWIFT. 

Ah!  the  detective — Ryan! 

Mrs.  S.     You  are  lost.     {Crosses  to  l.  c.) 

Wild.  No — I  have  promised  you — I  will  not  be 
taken 

Gar.  I  will  manage  Ryan,  go  in  there.  (Gardiner 
at  c.  holding  curtain.  Wilding  goes  up  c.  aiicl  comes 
down  again) 

Wild.  (To  Mrs.  S.)  Be  brave,  mother,  remember 
your  secret.  I  am  the  stranger  you  were  kind  to.  Be 
brave. 

(Wilding  goes  up  c.     Takes  Gardiner's   hand.) 

I'm  a  useless  devil,  Gardiner  and  giving  you  a  lot 
of  trouble. 

Gar.     You'll  change  all  that. 
Wild.    Yes,  I'll  change  all  that. 

{Exit  c.  through  curtains.     Gardiner  locks  door.    Mrs. 
S.  is  l.) 

Gar.     {Coming    down)     Don't   be    afraid. 

{Knock.) 

Mr.  S.     {Knocking  outside)     Gardiner!     Gardiner!' 
Mrs.  S.     My  husband's  voice!     He  mustn't     find     me 

here.     {Crosses  r.) 

Gar.     Hush!    he  won't  see  you.     Quick,  hide  behind 

that  curtain. 

{Lights  down.     Turns  down  lamp — opens  door.     Enter 
Mr.  S.     Gardiner  relocks  door,   l.) 

Mr.  S.  Gardiner,  Gardiner.  Marshall  is  below  with 
two  men. 

Gar.  {Crosses  to  window)  Heavens!  the  detectives 
have  left  the  street — we  are  lost! 

Mr.  S.     Lost? 

Gar.     Yes,  Wilding  is  here. 

Mr.  S.     Wilding  here? 

Gar.  Yes,  in  that  room.  What  is  to  be  done?  We 
cannot  give  him  up. 

{A  pause.) 

Mr.  S.  Yes,  we  must  give  him  up.  I  would  willingly 
have  saved  him  if  I  could,  but  I  will  not  allow  you  to 


CAPTAIN  SWIFT.  (59 

imperil  your  reputation,  perhaps  your  safety,  for  liis 
sake.    Gardiner,  open  the  door. 

Gar.     Impossible. 

Mr.  S.     Then  I  must — give  me  the  key. 

Mrs.  S.  (Aside  to  Gardiner)  Thera  is  only  one 
chance.     I  will  tell  him  all. 

Gar.     No,  no,  for  GocTs  sake. 

(3  Knocks.) 

Mrs.  S.     Yes,  I  will,  I  say  it  is  my  life  for  his. 

(Pistol  sliot.) 

(Mrs.  S.  screams.  The  curtains  open  and  Wilding  en- 
ters one  hand  on  his  breast  and  in  the  other  a  pistol. 
He  walks  unsteadily  r.  c.) 

Wild.  Hush,  mother  (In  a  ivhisper  to  Mrs.  S.)  I've 
kept  my  promise,  mother — hush! 

(Falls  dead.) 

(Knock.    Mr.  S.  starts  towards  Wilding,  "but  Gardiner 
restrains  him.) 

Mb.  S.     Someone  screamed,  who  was  it? 
Gab.     a  woman  who  loved  him. 

picture. 

SLOW  curtain. 


JUST  PUBLISHED 

What  Happened  to  Jones 

An  Original  Farce  in  Tliree  Acts 
By  GEORGE  H.  BROADHURST 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

JONES,  who  travels  for  a  hymn-hook  house 

EBENEZER  GOODLY,  aprofessor  of  anatomy 

A:^T0NY  goodly,  D.D.,  Bishop  of  Ballarat 

RICHARD  HEATHERLY,  engaged  to  Maijorie 

THOMAS  HOLDER,  a  policeman 

"WILLIAM  BIGBEE,  an  inmate  of  the  Sanitarium 

HENRY  FULLER,  superintendent  of  the  Sanitarium 

MRS.  GOODLY,  Ebenezer's  wife 

CISSY,  Ehenezefs  ward 

MARJORIE,  ) 

MINERVA     )  ^^^^^'^^^''^  daughters 

ALVINA  STARLIGHT,  Mr.  Goodly' %  sister 
HELMA,  a  servant 

SYNOPSIS  OF  SCENES 

ACT  1. — Handsomely  furnished  room  in  home  of 

Ebenezer  Goodly. 
ACT  2.— The  same. 
ACT  3.— The  same. 

This  is  the  jolliest  sort  of  a  farce,  clean  and  sparkling  all  the  way 
ftrough.  A  professor  of  anatomy  is  lured  to  a  prize  fight  and  the 
police  make  a  raid  on  the  "mill."  The  professor  escapes  to  his 
home,  followed  by  Jones,  a  traveling  salesman,  who  sells  hymn 
books  when  he  can  and  playing  cards  when  he  cannot.  The  police 
are  on  the  trail,  so  Jones  disguises  himself  by  putting  on  a  Bishop's 
garb,  and  a  lot  of  funny  complications  ensue.  The  other  funmakers 
are  aided  not  a  little  by  an  escaped  lunatic.  This  celebrated  farce 
has  been  a  tremendous  success  for  years  on  the  professional  stage  aztd 
is  now  published  for  the  first  time. 

PRICE,  50  CENTS 


The  Great  Successful  College  Play  Entitled 

CUPID  AT  VASSAR 

A  cOmbdy  drama  in  four  acts 
By  OWEN  DAVIS 

AUTHOR  OF  "AT  YALE" 

CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

Jom^'  WiLLETT A  Young  Architect. 

Amos  North Gf  North  &  Son,  Bankers. 

Shiny A  Lazy  Darkey. 

Hank  Gubbin The  Hired  Man, 

Mrs.  Newi'on Of  Great  Falls,  Vermont* 

Kate Her  Daughter. 

Wanda Kate's  Half-sister. 

Miss  Page 

Sally  Webb 

Matty  Hart 

Alice  Worth 

Patty  Snow 

Helen  Conway 

As  many  more  college  girls  as  are  desired* 

SYNOPSIS 
Act  I 
Scene,  sitting-roorn  of  Kate's  home  in  Vermont.     (At  the  Old 
Home.) 

Act  II 
Scene,  Kate's  room,  in  a  senior  double.     (At  Vassar.) 
Act  III 
V    Scene,  same  set  as  Act  I.  with  snow  and  winter  backing  and 
Christmas  tree,  etc.     (Vacation  Time.) 

Act  IV 

Scene,  college  campus  at  Vassar.  (Graduation  Day.  The  Daisy 
Chain.) 

This  comedy  is  eminently  suited  to  girls'  schools  and  colleges,  as  it 
can  be  played  by  all  females.  There  are  only  four  male  char- 
acters, two  of  which  are  eccentric  parts,  and  all  the  male  parts  can 
be  easily  dressed  by  girls.  The  play  has  all  college  surroundings, 
and  the  last  act  contains  the  famous  daisy  chain  which  is  so  popular 
at  girls  colleges. 

PRICE.  25  GENTS 


JUST  PUBUSHED 

AT  YALE 

A  Comedy  Drama  of  College  Life  in  Three  Act^ 

By   OWEN   DAVIS 


CAST  OF  CHARACTERS 

Dick  Sheeley Yale  '05. 

Mr.  Clayton  Randal Of  New  York. 

Jack  Randal His  son,  Yale  '05. 

Dave  Burly.  .  „ Substitute  on  Yale  Crew, 

Jim  Tucker Captain  of  Yale  Crew. 

JiMSEY A  Telegraph  Messenger  Boy, 

Clancy A  Prize-fighter. 

John  Kennedy Coach  Yale  Crew. 

Frank  Young Member  of  Yale  Crew. 

Ed.  Scott Friend  of  Dick  and  Member  of  Yale 

Crew. 

Tom  Haynes Member  of  Yale  Crew, 

Robert  Crosby Member  of  Yale  Crew. 

Jepson Boatman. 

Pol 

Harry  Wilson 

Will  Taylor 

Mrs.  Randal Jack's  Mother, 

Dorothy  Randal Her  daughter. 

Polly  Burk A  friend  of  Dorothy. 

Mame  Brady A  poor  girl. 

SYNOPSIS  OF  SCENES 
A.CT  I.— Vanderbilt  Hall,  New  Haven. 

ACT  II. — Scene  1. — A  Boat  House,  Gales  Ferry. 

Scene  2. — The  Start.     Gales  Ferry  Quarters. 
Scene  3. — The  Race.     Thames  River. 

ACT  III. — Exterior  of  Griswold  Hotel,  Eastern  Point.     New  Lou* 
don.    The  night  of  the  race. 

A  Comedy  Drama  of  American  CoUes^e  Life  In  Three  Acts,  by  Owen  Davis. 
'.  fcls  piece  was  played  with  tremendous  success  all  over  the  United  States  by 
Paul  Gilmore.  Sixteen  males,  four  females,  four  of  the  men  bein?  imimportant. 
This  Is  a  play  with  a  distinct  collecre  settinir,  in  whicli  athletics  arc  prominent; 
Just  the  kind  of  play  that  Is  wanted  by  nearly  every  hiirh  school  and  college  con- 
templating putting  on  a  play  as  part  of  their  commencement  exercises.  There 
are  pretty  collecre  grlrls,  freshmen,  a  telegraph  me-^senerer  boy.  coaches,  ^yplcal 
college  boys,  members  of  the  crew,  substitutes,  etc.  Any  number  of  male?  and 
temales  caa  be  used  in  the  ensembles.     Plays  a  full  evening, 

PBICE.  9d  CSNXS 


ear-  SEND  F0«!   A   NEW  DESCRIPTIVE  CATALOGUE. 


{Frenches  Standard  Drama  Continued  from  2d  page  of  Cover.) 


VOL.  XLI. 
The  Pirate's  Legacy 
'Ihe  Charcoal  Burner 
Adelgltba 
Seiiur  Valiente 
Forest  Rose 
Uuke's  Da.ighter 
Camilla's  Husbj_^ 
Pure  Gold 

VOL.  XLIL 
Ticket  of  LcHve  Man 
Fool'?  Reveiig;e 
O'.Neii  the  Great 
Handy  Audy 
Piraie  of  the  Isles 
Faiichon 
Little  Barefoot 
Wild  Irish  Girl 

VOL.  XLIII. 
Pearl  of  Savoy 
Dead  Heart 

Ten  N  ights  in  a  Bar-room 
Dumb  Boy  of  Manchester 
BelphegortheMouDteb'k 
Cricket  on  the  Hearth 
Printer's  Devil 
Meg's  Diversion 


VOL.  XLIV. 

345  Drunkard's  Doom 

346  Chimney  Corner 

'6i^  Fifteen  Years  of  a  Drunk, 

348  No  Thoroughfare  fard's 

349  Peep  O'  Day  \_L\ie 

350  Everybody's  Friend 

351  Gen.  Grant 

35'J  Kathleen  Mavourneen 
VOL.  XLV. 

353  Nick  Whiffles 

354  Fruits  of  the  Wine  Cup 

355  Drunkard's  Warning 

356  Temperance  Doctor 

357  Aunt  Dinah 

358  Widow  Freeheart 

359  Frou  Frou 

360  Long  Strike 

VOL.  XLVI. 

361  Larcers 
36'i  Lu.  ille 

363  Randall's  Thumb 

364  Wicked  World 

365  Two  Orphans 

366  Colleen  B:iwn 

367  'Twixt  Axe  and  Crown 

368  Lady  Clancarthy 


VOL.  XLVU. 

369  Saratoga 

370  Never  Too  Late  to  MenO 

371  Lily  of  France 
41 '2  Led  Astray 

373  Henry  V 

374  Unequal  Match 

375  Miiv  or  Dolly's  Delusion 

376  Allatoona 

VOL.  XLVIII. 

377  Enoch  Arden 

37S  Under  the  Gas  Light 

379  Daniel  Rochat 

380  Caste 

381  School 
3bL'  Home 

383  David  Garrick 

384  Ours 

VOL.  XLIX. 

385  Social  Glas! 
3s6  Daniel  Druce 

387  Two  Roses 

388  Adrienne 

389  The  Bells 

390  Uncle 
.391  Courtship 

392  Not  Such  a  fool 


VOL.  L. 

393  Fine  Featliers 

394  Prompter's  Box 

395  Iron  Master 

396  Engaged 

97  Pygmalion  &  Galate» 

398  Leah 

399  Scrap  of  Paper 

400  Lost  in  London 

VOL.  LL 

401  Octoroon 

402  Confeaerate  Spy 

403  !VJariner's  Return 
4iJ4  Ruined  by  Drink 
403  Dreams 

406  M.  P. 

407  War 

408  Birth 

VOL.  LIL 

409  Nightingale 

410  Progress 

411  Plav 

412  Mid'night  Charge 

413  Confidential  Clerk 

414  Snowball 

415  Our  Regiment 

416  Married  for  Money 
Hamlet  in  Three  Acts 
Guttle  &  Gulpit 


FRENCH'S  INTERNATIONAL  COPYRIGHTED  EDITION 
OF  THE  WORKS  OF  THE  BEST  AUTHORS. 

The  following  very  successful  plays  have  just  been  issued  at  25  cents  per  copy. 


A  PAIR  OF  SPECTACLES.  Comedy  In  3  Actf 
by  SvDNky  Grundy,  author  of  "  Sowing  the  Wind,' 
&c.     ^  male,  3  female  characters. 

A  TOOL'S  PARADISE.  An  origina!  play  in  3 
Acts  by  Sydnkv  Gkunty,  author  of  '"Sowing  the 
Wind,''  Ac.     5  male,  4  female  characters. 

THE  SILVER  SHIELD.  An  original  comedy  in 
3  Acts  by  Sydney  Grundy,  author  of  "Sowing  the 
Wind,"  &.C.     6  male,  3  female  characters. 

THE  GLASS  OP  FASHION".  An  original  com- 
edy in  4  Acts  by  Syinky  i-kl  ndy,  author  of  "Sowing 
the  Wind,"  &cl     5  male,  5  female  characters. 


THE  BALLOON.     Farcical  comedy  in  S  Acts  by  J. 

H.  D^RNi.EY  and  Manvillb  Fbnn.     6  male,  4  female 

characti'rs. 
MISS  (  LEOPATRA.    Farce  in  3  Acts  by  Akthub 

Shirlkit.     7  male,  3  female  characters. 
SIX    PERSONS.      Comedy  Act   by   I,   Zanowill. 

1  male,  1  female  character. 
FASHIONABLE  INTELLIGENCE.    Comedi- 
etta in  1   Act  by  Percy  Fkndall.     1  male,  1  female 

cha  .acter. 
HTGFfLAND    LEGACY.     Comedy  in  1   Act  bv 

Brandon     Thomas,    author    of   "Charley's    Aunt." 

5  male,  2  female  characters. 


Contents  of  Catalogue  which  is  sent  Free. 


Amktenr  Drama 

Amateur  Operas 

Articles  Needed  by  Amateurs 

Art  of  Scene  Painting 

Baker's  Reading  Club 

Beards,  Whiskers,  Mustaches,  etc. 

Bound  Sets  of  I'lays 

Bulwer  Lytton's  PlayB 

Burlesque  Dramas 

Burnt  Cork 

Cabman's  Sto-^ 

Camiral  of  Authors 

Charade  Plavs 

Children's  Plays 

Comic  Dramas  «for -Male  Characters 

only 
Costume  Books 
Crape  Hair 
Cumberland  Edition 
Darkey  Dramas 
Dramas  for  Boys 
Drawing-room  MoTioTogues 
Elocution,  Reciters  and  Speakers 
Ethiopian  Drawas 


Evening's  Entertainment 

Fairy  and  Home  Vlays 

F-ench's  Costumes 

French's  Editions 

French's  Italian  Operas 

French's  Parlor  Comedies 

French's  Siunrtard  and  Minor  Drama 

Fretich's  Standard  and  Minor  Drama, 

bound 
French's  Scenes  for  Amateurs 
Frobisher's  I  opular  Recitals 
Grand  .'irmy  Dramas 
Guid3  Book's  for  Amuteurs 
Guide  to  Selecting  Plays 
Hints  on  Costumes 
Home  Pl.ivs  for  Ladiei 
Irish  Plays 
Irving's  Plays 
.luvenile  Plavs 
Make-Up  Book 
Muke-Up  Box 
Mock  Trial 

Mrs.  J.arley's  Wax  Work» 
New  Plays 


New  Recitation  Books 

Nigirer  Jokes  and  Stump  Speeches 

Parlor  Magic 

Parlor  Pantomimes 

Pieces  of  Pleasantry 

Poems  for  Recitations 

Plays  for  Ms.. .  Characters  only 

Round  Games 

Scenery 

Scriptural  and  Historical  Dramas 

Sensation  Draiiias 

Se»io-Comic  Dramas 

Shadow  Pantomimes 

Shakespeare's  Plays  for  Amateurs 

Shakespeare's  Plays 

Stanley's  Dwarfs 

Spirit  Gum 

Tableaux  Vivants 

Talma  Actor's  Art 

Temperance  Plays 

Vocal  Music  of  Shakespeare's  Plays 

Webster's  Actint;  Edition 

Wigs,  etc. 


{Frenches  Minor  Drama  Continued  from  4th  page  of  Cover.) 


L   Love 
[Letter 


VOL.  XLT, 
821  Adventures    of 
352  I  ost  Child 
323  Court  Cards 
394  Cox  and  Box 

325  I'ortv  Winks 

326  Wonderful  Woman 

327  Curious  Case 

358  Tweedleton's  TaU  Coat 


VOL.  XLIL 

329  As  Like  as  Two  Peas 

330  Presumptive  Evidence 

331  Happy  Band 

332  Pinafore 
3.33  Mock  Trial 

334  My  Uncle's  Will 

335  Happy  Pair 

336  My  Turn  Next 


VOL.  XLIIL 
337  Sunset 
.338  For  Haifa  Million 

339  C  ble  Car 

340  Earlv  Bird 
.341  Alumni  Plav 

342  Show  of  Hands 

343  Barbar?. 

344  Who's  Who 


VOL.  XLIV. 

345  Who's  To  Win  Him 

346  Which  i  s  Which 

347  Cup  of  Tea 

31S  Sarah's  Young  Man 

349  Hearts 

350  In  Honor  Bound      [Law 

351  Freezing    a    Mother-in- 

352  My  Lord  in  Livery 


SAMUEL  FRENCH,  28=30  West  38th  Street.  New  York  City. 


J 


{fp-    Hew  and  Explicit  Descriptive  Catalogue  Mailed  Pree  on  Reque5t. 


^-<' 


sjUXUA 


uvuiul  VoltuiM  $1.25. 


1  Thk  t/tih  Attomcjr 
«  BeoU  i>t  ttia  Swao 
>  Hew  to  Pfcy  th*  Rent 
4  Tbt  L«au  of  a  Lorar 
(  The  De«d  Shot 
I  His  Laat  Km* 
1  The  iDvit.blt  PrinM 
fe  Th«  Gol.lan  Farmar 

VOL.  11. 
t  Prid«  of  the  Market 

10  Uied  Up 

11  The  Iriih  Tutor 

15  The  Barrack  Room 
1»  Luke  the  Laborer 

14  Benuty  and  the  Beaal 

16  St.  Pfttriok't  Eve 

18  Captain  of  the  Watoh 

VOU  III. 
IT  The  Secret        ,        fpe" 
18  White  Horee  of  the  Pep- 
1»  The  Jacobil* 
to  Thi  Bottle 
tl  Box  and  CoK 
1i  Bamhooilinf 
83  W;dow'e  Victim 

54  Robert  Maoalr* 

VOL.  IT. 
M  Secret  SerTio* 
it  Omnlbu* 
ST  Iri«h  Lloa 

55  Maid  of  CrolHJ 
S»  The  Old  Guard 
80  Raiilnt;  the  Wlii4 
31  Slasher  and  Craiher 

33  Naral  Enrigemante 

VOL.  V. 
83  Cocknlei  In  CallfomU 

34  Who  Spcaki  Flrtt 
ii  Bombastei  Furloeo 
II  Macbeth  TraveiMe 
8T  Irlih  Ambasiftdor 
S8  Delicate  Ground 

8»  The  Weathercock     [Gold 

40  All  that  Glitteri   U   Not 

VOL.  VI. 

41  Grlmihaw,  Bagahaw  and 

Rradthatr 

15  Rough  Diamond 
t3  Bloomer  Costume 
U  Ttvo  BoDQTcastlea 

16  Bom  to  Qo'od  Luck 

lb  Kiss  In  the  Dark  [Jurer 
4T  'Twould  PuMle  ft  Con- 
48  KlU  or  Cure 

VOL.   VII. 
48  Box  and  Cox  Married  and 
6C  St.  C  ipld  [Settled 

61  Oo-U  bed  Tom 

15  The  Lawyers 
48  Jack  Sheppar4 
64The"'oodlee 
46  The    lobcap 

16  Ladles  Beware 

VOL.  VIII. 
«T  Morning  Call 
6i  Popping  the  Queatloft 
6t  Deaf  »«  a  Post 
(0  N«  .T  Footman 
II  Pleasant  Neighbw 
Of  Paddy  the  Piper 
88  Brian  O'Llnn 

14  Irish  Aunrane* 

VOL.  la. 

15  Temptation 
II  Paddy  '^»reT 
IT  Twe  Qregoriee 
II  King  Cha'-miag 
It  Po-ca-hon-tas 

TO  Cleckmaker's  Hat 
f  1  Married  Rake 
T8  Lore  M^d  Murder 

VOL.  X. 
Tl  Ireland  and  A'^erlca 
U  Pretty  Pieee  of  BuilneH 
Tt  Irlah  Rreoin-maker 
TIT*  Parii   an/    Baek    foi 

tire  P«Hndt 
TT  Tkat  Bleeeed  Bate 
t8  0«r  C*! 
Tl  Swtae  Oettag* 
M  Teasg  W>««V 


XI. 

81  0'l<l.iiinig:ioandt)ieFat- 

85  Irish  [riea 
88  My  Neighbor's  Wife 

S4  Irish  Tiger 

86  P.  P.,  or  Man  and  Tiger 
81  To  Oblige  Bensoa 

87  State  SeoreU 

88  Irish  Yankee 

VOL.  XII. 

89  A  Good  Fellow 

»0  Cherry  and  Fair  St«r 
$1  Oalc  Breexely 

95  Our  Jemiuiy 
S3  Miller'*  Maid 

94  Awkward  Arrtral 

96  Crossing  the  Lint 


98  Conjugal 

VOL.  XIII. 

97  My  Wife's  Mirror 

98  Life  in  New  Vork 

99  Middy  Ashore 

100  Crown  Prino* 

101  Two  Queene 

102  Thumplag  Legaoy 

103  Unfialstied  0»ntl*iaUI 

104  House  Dog 

VOL.  xrv. 

101  The  Demon  Lorer 

08  Matrimony 

07  InandOutof  Plac« 
108  I  Dine  with  My  Mother 
10»  Kl-a-wa-th» 

110  AndrBlak* 

111  Lore' in '76  [ties 

113  Romance  under  DlSoul- 
VOL.  XV. 

US  One  Coat  for  4  Salt* 

114  A- Decided  Ceti* 

116  Daughter  [norltv 

116  No;  or,  the  Olorlout  Ml- 

117  Coroner's  Inqulsltioa 
8  Love  in  Humble  Ufa 

119  Family  Jar» 

130  Personation 
VOL.  XVI. 

131  Children  In  the  Woo4 
139  Winning  a  Husband 

23  Day  After  the  Fair 
124  Ma1t<  Your  Will. 
1'.'5  RendeiTOua 
131  My  Wife's  HusbaM 
1 27  Monsieur  Tonson 

38  Ulustrioui  Stranger 
VOL.  XVd. 

29  MIschiaf-Makiug [Mines 

130  A   Lire  Woman  la     ' 

131  The  Corsair 

132  Shy  lock 

133  Spoiled  CbllA 

134  EtII  Eye 
136  Vothlng  to Jiurat 

136  Wanted  •  Widow 

VOL.  xviri. 

137  Lottery  Ticket 
1 88  Fortune's  Frolle 

139  la  he  Jealous  f 

140  Married  Bachelor 

141  Husband  at  Sight 
141  Irishman  in  London 
148  Animal  Magnetism 
144  Highways  and  By-W  ays 

VOL.  XIX. 
148  Columbus 

146  Harlequin  Bluebeard 

147  Ladiet  at  Home 

148  Phenomenon  in  a  SuiocK 

Frock 

149  Comedy  and  Tragedy 

160  Opposite  f^eiuhbors 
181  Dutchman's  Ghost 
163  Persecuted  Dutchman 

VOL.  XX. 
Ill  nfuaard  Ball 
.i*  Great  Tragic  RevlTal 

166  High  Low  Jack  it  Game 

161  A    Gentleman   from   Ire- 

167  Tom  and  Jerry        [land 
1t«  VilHge  Lawyer 

161  Captain's  not  A-miae 
lA>  Amateurs  and  Aotvrs 


VOL.  XXI. 

Ill  Premetleo  [ual 

6S  A    Faaeiaatlng    Indlrld- 

113  Mrs.  Caadla 

114  Shakespeare's  Dreaaa 
111  Neptune  s  Defeat 
116  Lady  of  Bedchamber 
:i7  Take     Care     of     Little 

168  Irish  Widow      [Charley 

VOL.  XXIL 

169  Yankee  Peddler 

170  Hiram  Hireont 

171  Double-Bedded  Room 
173  The  Drama  Deieaded 

173  Vermont  Woel  Dealer 

174  Ebeneier  Venture       [ter 

175  Principles  from  Ckarae- 
171  Lady  ef  the  Lake  (Trav) 

VOL.  XXIH. 

177  Mad  Doge 

178  Barney  the  Barea 

179  Swiss  Swains 

180  Bachelor's  Bedroom 

181  A  Roland  for  an  OlWer 
181  More  Blunders  than  One 
183  Dumb  Belle 

ls4  Llmrrick  Boy 

VOL.  xxnr. 

181  Nature  and  Phlloaophy 
181  Teddy  the  Tiler 

187  Spectre  Bridegroom 

188  Matuo  Falcon* 

189  Jenny  Llnd 

190  Two  Buaaardt 

191  Happy  Miio 
19S  Betsy  Baker 

VOL.  xxr. 

195  No.  1  Roand  th*  Coner 
194  Teddy  Roe 

196  Object  of  Intereal 
191  My  Fellow  Clerk 

197  Bengal  Ttrer 

198  Laughing  Hvena 

199  The  Victor  f  anqulahed 

200  Our  Wif* 
VOL.  XXVI. 

901  My  Husband's  Mirror 
SOS  Yankee  Und 
908  Norah  Cretna 

504  Good  for  Nothinf 
205  The  First  Night 
308  The  Eton  Boy 

SOT  Wandering  Mlnatr*! 
908  WanUd,  1000  MlUinere 
VOL.  XXVIL 

505  Poor  Pilcoddy 

310  The  Mummy  [Glaases 
21 1  Doa't  Forget  your  Opera 
819  I^re  in  LlTery 

218  Anthony  and  Cleopatra 

214  Trylng_It  On 

316  Stage  Struck  Yankee 

311  Young  Wife  &  Old  Urn 

brella 

VOL.  xxvm. 

91T  Crinoline 
218  A  Family  Falllnf 
319  Adopted  Child 
220  Turned  Heads 
291  A  Matoh  in  the  Dark 
223  Advioe  to  Husband* 
238  Siamese  Twins 
324  Sent  to  the  Tower 

VOL.  xxrx. 

995  Somebody  Rise 

2  8  Ladles'  Battle 

927  Art  of  Acting 

998  The  Lady  of  the  Lion* 

329  The  Rights  of  Man 

8M  My  Husoand's  Ghost 

381  Two   Can   Play  at  that 

0am* 
339  Fighting  by  Proxy 

VOL.  XXX. 
388  Unprotected  Female 
984  Pet  of  the  PetUeoaU 
286  Forty  and  Fifty  [book 
381  Who  Stole  the  Pocket- 
iSI  My  Son  Diana  [sion 

338  Unwarrantable  I  n  t 
S89  Mr.  sad  M's.  White 
941  A  Qnlet  Family 


xy  fP* 

M  \ii 


.que) 


Tiger 

J  UStiC4 


I- 


bB, 


(Fr«ttcb''i  Minor  Dramm  Continued  on  jdpaft  tfCwtr^ 


VO',  XX 

241  Cool  us  Cucu; 
942  Sudden  Thou(  u« 

343  Jumbo  Jnm 
944  A  Blighted  Being 

344  Little  Toddle  ' 
34t  A  LoTrr  bw  ) 
947  Maid  with'  t 

lexing  ; 
OL.  >X 
249  Dr.  DUwoi  I 

960  Out  to  NuTM 

961  A  Lucky  hit 
913  The  Dowaprei 
968  Metamora  '1 
944  Dreams  of  t 
S66  The  Shaker 
366  Ticklish  Tin  . 

VOL.  X.^ 
Y<7  90  Minutes 
968  Miralda ;  or 

of  Taoon 
919  A  Seldier'a 
910  Serranu  by 
261  Dying  for  L.    - 
963  Alarming  S<       ^  e 
363  Valet  de  Skk   i 
864Nlohela»M     lebv 

VOL.  X.  XIV 
385  The  Laat  of  d  e  <  ', 

366  King  Rene'^  Da 

367  The  Grotto  N  'n 
3H  A  Devilish  Si  <i 
3«9  A  Twice  Told  " 
970  Pas  de  Fateiantl 
/71  ReTolutionnr^  S 
ST9  AMan  Will.' 

VOL.  XX     • 
2T8  The  Olio,  I  ^ 
974  Tbe  Olio,  Fa 
976  The  Olie,  Pa      ( 

976  The  Trump  t  t  *.\h*~A, 

977  Seeing  War-. 
378  Green  Meu^  i 

979  That  Nose 

980  Tom  Nodd: '    ^   c  *| 

VOL.  X  >  ^    L 

981  Shocking  E      .i., 

983  A  Regular  1 
388  Diek  Tarpir 

984  Young  Sc^n  o 

985  Young  Aetr 

986  Call  at  No.  .      r 

9«7  One  Touch         '      vi% 

388  Two  B'hoyi 

VOL.  XX 

389  All  the  Worlt.     k  %.U  ,« 

990  Quash,  or  Nif  ;  •)    frwt' 

991  Turn  Him  Oul  [t,«« 
999  Pretty  Girls  of  W  h«-  g 
998  Angel  ef  tht 

994  CtfeamsUni     AllerCaaM 
396  Katty  O'Sh'  .1 
996  A  Supper  in  DizI* 
VOL.  XXXVITL 
99T  Id  on  Parle  Francala 

998  Who  Killed  C.^k  Robin 

999  Declaratlen 
300  Heads  or  Ta 
801  Obstinate  F- 
309  My  Aunt 
803  That  Rascal 
S04  Don  Paddy  > 

VOL.  XX 
806  Too  Much  ft 

806  Cure  for  the  ! 

807  Jack's  the  L 

308  Much  Ado  A) 

309  Artful  Dode^ 
810  Winning  Ha. 
311  Day's  Rshln 
819  Did  you  eyr 

VOL.  X 

818  An  Irishman'' 
314  Cousin  Fann! 

815  'Ti«  the  Dark.  «tHo.ir 
.116  Mas^nerade     f '  i     L<a«r  ' 
817  Crowding  tht  tf  J«i 
81(1  Good  Nicht's  Rsat 

819  Man  with  the  Carpet  Bv 
8S0  Terrible  Tinker 


i!y 


■!:: 


M..a 


SAMUBL  FRENCH,  28-30  W  est  38th  Street,  New  York  City. 

new  ar.::  £Xa;Ucit  Descriptive  Catalojerue  Piailed  Free  yf  Heaue; 


2 


'^^2f3iOG  3 


Thisbookisdueon&el^^«%^^Pd.  „ 


